After the tremendous success of the first two editions of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the highly anticipated third edition is set to kick off. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will look to retain their title as they compete against four other teams.
The tournament will begin with an exciting opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Giants on Friday in Vadodara. WPL 2025 promises to be another thrilling season of this lucrative league, which has already left a significant mark in its first two editions.
Cricket’s biggest stars will showcase their talent in the upcoming season, with several Indian players eager to make an impression. Many Indian superstars will see this as an opportunity to earn a spot in the national squad for the 2025 Women’s World Cup later this year. Here, we take a look at three Indian players to watch out for in WPL 2025
1. Shafali Verma
Indian opener Shafali Verma will once again be in action for Delhi Capitals in the WPL. The 21-year-old aggressive batter is the highest Indian run-scorer in the tournament’s history, having amassed 561 runs in 18 innings at an impressive average of 35.06 and a blistering strike rate of 168.46.
She has played a crucial role in guiding her team to the finals in both editions of the WPL. However, Shafali has a point to prove to the Indian selectors, as she has been out of the national squad for nearly 7-8 months. She will be eager to make a strong statement with her performances in the upcoming season.
2. Saika Ishaque
Saika Ishaque, the 29-year-old left-arm spinner, has been one of India’s standout performers in the WPL. She played a pivotal role in Mumbai Indians’ title-winning campaign in 2023 and holds the record for being the highest Indian wicket-taker in WPL history, with 24 wickets in 19 matches at an economy rate of 7.23.
Her stellar WPL 2023 performances earned her a maiden India cap in WODIs and WT20Is, but she has yet to replicate that success at the international level. Known for her ability to pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs, Saika remains a key player to watch out for in WPL 2025.
3. Raghvi Bist
Raghvi Bist, the 20-year-old all-rounder, is set to make her WPL debut in 2025 for RCB Women. She recently earned her maiden WT20I cap for India after impressing with strong performances for India Women A. A fearless batter who can play in any position, Raghvi also brings balance to the team with her medium-pace bowling.
With India actively searching for a pace-bowling all-rounder, Raghvi could emerge as a valuable asset. WPL 2025 will be a great opportunity for her to showcase her potential and make a case for a long-term spot in the national team.
