Samaira Raghav's Journey: From Young Talent to Gujarat Giants Star in WPL

Samaira Raghav, a promising young cricketer, has signed with the Gujarat Giants for the upcoming Women's Premier League. At just 16, she reflects on her cricketing journey, inspired by her father and Indian stars like Pratika Rawal. With impressive performances in domestic leagues, she aims to enhance her skills by learning from renowned players such as Ashleigh Gardner and Richa Ghosh. Samaira's aspirations are fueled by India's recent Women's World Cup victory, motivating her to achieve similar success for her country. Read on to learn more about her journey and ambitions in the world of cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 5, 2026, 14:55 IST

Samaira Raghav Signs with Gujarat Giants

Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh) [India], November 5: Rising star Samaira Raghav has been signed by the Gujarat Giants (GG) for ₹10 lakh ahead of the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) season. The 16-year-old all-rounder shared insights about her cricketing journey and expressed her eagerness to learn from Australian cricketer Ashleigh Gardner and Indian wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh to enhance her six-hitting skills.

Impressive Performance in Domestic Cricket

Samaira, who was acquired by GG for the WPL 2027 season, played a crucial role in the North Delhi Strikers' success in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) this year, amassing 100 runs in six matches with a strike rate of 131.58. Additionally, she showcased her bowling talent in the U19 T20 Trophy, scoring 162 runs in seven innings at an impressive strike rate of 216.

A Life-Changing Moment

Reflecting on her selection by GG, Samaira shared, "Initially, I was in disbelief; it felt surreal to be chosen by the Gujarat Giants. I was overwhelmed with joy and immediately called my coaches and family, who were equally thrilled."

Inspired by Family and Role Models

Samaira's cricketing journey began with encouragement from her father, who urged her to join an academy. She cites Indian players Pratika Rawal and Shweta Sehrawat as her primary inspirations. "My dad motivated me to pursue cricket when I was hesitant. I eventually joined my seniors, including Pratika didi and Shweta didi, who have been significant influences in my career," she explained.

Valuable Experience in DPL

Discussing her experience in the DPL, Samaira noted that it provided younger players with opportunities to learn from seasoned players. "Our coaches were incredibly supportive, guiding us through both challenges and successes. Winning the tournament was a fantastic experience," she added.

Learning from the Best

Samaira expressed her desire to learn from Ashleigh Gardner, particularly regarding her six-hitting techniques and mental approach. "I admire Ashleigh for her remarkable ability to hit sixes and her all-round performance. I would love to understand her routines and mindset," she stated.

Inspired by India's World Cup Victory

The young cricketer also mentioned that India's historic win in the 50-over Women's World Cup last year has fueled her ambition. "During the final, I was in a hotel room with my teammates, and witnessing the Indian women's triumph was incredibly emotional. It inspired me to strive for similar success for my country," she shared.

Aspirations for the Future

If given the chance to represent India, Samaira expressed her eagerness to learn from Richa Ghosh's six-hitting prowess, Smriti Mandhana's composure, and Harmanpreet Kaur's extensive knowledge. "I would love to understand Richa's mindset when hitting sixes, and Smriti's calm leadership is something I admire greatly. Harman's experience is invaluable, and I hope to absorb as much as I can from all of them," she concluded.