WPL Speed Queen: Spotlight on India's Next Fast-Bowling Force

Following India's Women's World Cup triumph, the Women's Premier League (WPL) launched the Speed Queen initiative, a platform dedicated to discovering raw pace, control, and competitive temperament in young bowlers.

The initiative saw massive interest, with over 13,000 registrations and more than 7,500 participants attending trials across 28 cities.

When Pace Meets Opportunity

The nationwide trials culminated in a final assessment on February 2 at Islam Gymkhana, Marine Drive, Mumbai. Shortlisted bowlers were tested in a high-pressure format, with just three deliveries to showcase their speed, accuracy, and control.

A fireside chat followed, featuring former India international Anjum Chopra and former national wicketkeeper Sushma Verma, moderated by sports anchor Surbhi Vaid. They discussed the evolution of women's cricket in India.

Verma highlighted the shift from passion-driven play to professional sustainability, crediting financial stability and franchise ecosystems like the WPL for allowing players to focus fully on performance.

Chopra emphasized the importance of early talent identification and a strong domestic pipeline, crediting consistent governance and platforms like the WPL for building a sustainable ecosystem.

A Season Shaped by Belief

Indian women's national team head coach Amol Muzumdar addressed the young bowlers, acknowledging the ambition in the room and the importance of initiatives like Speed Queen.

"This contest is about unearthing fast bowlers," he said, adding that such platforms will play a key role in strengthening Indian cricket over the next five years. He encouraged those not selected to return stronger.

Muzumdar underlined that women's cricket in India is on a steep upward curve and that performances at such initiatives will not go unnoticed from a national team perspective.

The evening concluded with awards and a pledge of 5,447 trees by Tata Sons across the Under-19 and Under-23 categories.

Wall of Fame: The Standout Performers

After weeks of trials, these bowlers claimed top honours:

• Palak Singh (Nagpur) – 106 km/hr
• Anshika Yadav (Lucknow) – 105 km/hr
• Rhea Nadkarni (Mumbai) – 103 km/hr
• Akshita Bhagat (Delhi) – 105 km/hr
• Rohita Choudhary (Bengaluru) – 103 km/hr
• Pragati Prasad (Lucknow) – 102 km/hr

The WPL Speed Queen initiative stands as a reminder that the future of Indian women's fast bowling is being built in trials across the country, in three high-pressure deliveries, and in a new generation daring to test their limits.