As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) returns for its fourth season on January 9, 2026, with matches across Navi Mumbai and Vadodara, the focus extends beyond established internationals and title contenders.
One of the league’s most enduring strengths has been its ability to fast-track talent, bridging the gap between domestic cricket and the global stage. WPL 2026 once again promises to be a launchpad, with uncapped players taking center stage across all five franchises. The mega auction has reshaped squads, but the underlying strategy remains consistent: invest in potential. These youngsters, yet to debut at senior international level, are not mere bench options. They represent the future spine of Indian and global women’s cricket, and this season could mark the moment many of them announce themselves.
Deeya Yadav: The Teenage Powerhouse
Few selections have generated as much intrigue as Delhi Capitals’ continued faith in 16-year-old Deeya Yadav. The Haryana prodigy became the youngest-ever player to earn a WPL contract, and her performances suggest the decision was anything but sentimental.
An aggressive top-order batter, Deeya first caught national attention with a stunning double century 213 in U-15 one-day cricket before translating that promise into senior domestic competitions. In the Women’s T20 Trophy, she scored 298 runs in eight innings at an average of 59.5 and a strike rate of 128, including three half-centuries. Those numbers highlight not just power but a level of composure rarely seen at her age.
What separates Deeya from most teenage prospects is her game awareness. She knows when to attack and when to consolidate, making her an ideal fit in a Delhi Capitals lineup featuring Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma. If given consistent opportunities, Deeya could provide explosive starts and quickly emerge as one of the tournament’s breakout batters. Another uncapped name in the DC squad worth monitoring is Niki Prasad, whose spin and lower-order hitting add valuable balance.
Anushka Sharma: The All-Round Dynamo
Gujarat Giants signalled their intent at the auction by investing ₹45 lakh in Anushka Sharma, one of the most expensive uncapped Indian players in WPL history. The 22-year-old from Madhya Pradesh is a genuine all-rounder, capable of influencing games in multiple phases.
Anushka’s T20 strike rate of around 125 in senior domestic cricket points to her effectiveness as a middle-order enforcer, while her medium-pace bowling provides flexibility in team combinations. More importantly, she has shown a calm head in pressure situations a trait that will serve her well alongside international stars like Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner.
While Gujarat have also brought in uncapped players such as Happy Kumari and Ayushi Soni, Anushka’s versatility places her firmly at the top of the Giants’ breakout list for 2026.
Milly Illingworth: The Slingy Speedster
Two-time champions Mumbai Indians have built a reputation for spotting X-factor talent, and Australian pacer Milly Illingworth fits that mould perfectly. Picked up for ₹10 lakh, the 20-year-old may be uncapped at the senior international level, but she is far from inexperienced.
With a slingy, old-school action, Illingworth consistently clocks speeds close to 120 kmph. She has taken 18 wickets in 28 Women’s Big Bash League innings at an economy rate of 7.28, troubling top-order batters with bounce and pace. A member of Australia’s U19 Women’s T20 World Cup squad in 2023, she now has the opportunity to refine her skills under the guidance of elite bowlers such as Shabnim Ismail.
If Illingworth adapts quickly to Indian conditions, she could become a valuable weapon for the Mumbai Indians, particularly in the death overs.
Prema Rawat: The Spin Sensation
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru faces a key challenge in WPL 2026 with Ellyse Perry unavailable, making balance and adaptability crucial. Their decision to retain Prema Rawat for ₹20 lakh using the Right to Match card underlines the franchise’s belief in the young leg-spinner.
Rawat brings control and deception, with a well-disguised googly and the ability to vary flight in the middle overs. She is also a capable lower-order batter and a sharp fielder, qualities that align well with RCB’s emphasis on all-round contribution. At 24, Rawat could flourish alongside Shreyanka Patil under Smriti Mandhana’s leadership, making her the most exciting uncapped prospect in the RCB camp.
Gongadi Trisha: The Complete Package
UP Warriorz opted for a bold rebuild, retaining just one player before assembling a fresh core. Among their smartest acquisitions is Gongadi Trisha, secured for ₹10 lakh. Trisha was the standout performer of India’s U19 Women’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2025, scoring 309 runs in seven innings and taking seven wickets.
Her performance in the final, a match-winning 44 with the bat and three wickets, earned her both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament honors. An opening batter who can also bowl leg-spin, Trisha offers flexibility and balance, attributes highly valued in the T20 format. With leaders like Meg Lanning and Deepti Sharma around her, she has the ideal environment to play fearless cricket.
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WPL 2026 once again reinforces why the league is one of the most powerful talent accelerators in world cricket. These uncapped players are not filling roster spots; they are shaping narratives, challenging hierarchies, and laying the foundation for the next generation of stars. From Deeya Yadav’s fearless youth to Gongadi Trisha’s championship pedigree, the future is already on display. The next Shafali Verma or Deepti Sharma may not be emerging soon she could already be taking the field this season.
