Tue Jan 20 14:40:00 UTC 2026: # 16-Year-Old Diya Yadav Makes WPL History, Vaishnavi Sharma Debuts for Mumbai Indians
The Story:
Diya Yadav, a 16-year-old cricketer from Haryana, has become the youngest player to ever participate in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Delhi Capitals captain Jemimah Rodrigues confirmed her inclusion in the playing eleven before their crucial match against Mumbai Indians. Yadav replaced Minnu Mani in the team. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians also provided a debut to left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma.
Key Points:
* Diya Yadav, 16, debuted for Delhi Capitals, becoming the youngest WPL player.
* Yadav was purchased by Delhi Capitals for her base price of ₹10 lakh.
* She gained prominence in 2023 after scoring 578 runs in the Under-15 One Day Trophy, averaging 96.33.
* Yadav scored an unbeaten 213 off 125 balls against Tripura, a rare feat in women’s age-group cricket.
* She was inspired to play cricket after watching the 2017 Women’s World Cup final.
* Vaishnavi Sharma debuted for Mumbai Indians, replacing the injured wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini.
* Kamalini is ruled out for the remainder of WPL 2026 due to injury, after scoring 75 runs in 5 matches, with a highest score of 32.
* Vaishnavi Sharma was part of the 2025 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup winning Indian team.
* Sharma recently made her senior international debut in a five-match T20 series against Sri Lanka.
* She has also been selected for the ODI team for the upcoming tour of Australia after the WPL.
Key Takeaways:
* The WPL is providing a platform for young, talented cricketers like Diya Yadav to showcase their skills at the highest level.
* Diya Yadav’s inclusion highlights the growing talent pool in women’s cricket in India.
* Mumbai Indians’ decision to give Vaishnavi Sharma a chance underscores the importance of squad depth and adaptability in the WPL.
* Exposure to the WPL can significantly boost the careers of young players, opening doors to national team opportunities like Vaishnavi Sharma’s selection for the Australia tour.
* The 2017 Women’s World Cup inspired younger generation to play cricket and aspire to represent the country.
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