WPL Launches 'Speed Queen' Initiative to Discover Female Fast Bowlers
Introduction to the 'Speed Queen' Initiative
New Delhi, Jan 9: As the five franchises prepare for the upcoming 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL), numerous young female fast bowlers in the U19 and U23 categories are participating in trials across the Delhi-NCR area as part of the 'WPL Speed Queen' initiative.
Objective of the Initiative
The initiative, organized by the WPL and BCCI, aims to discover untapped female fast-bowling talent among U-19 and U-23 players in India. Launched on January 5, trials will continue in the Delhi-NCR region until Sunday and will subsequently move to Lucknow, Gujarat, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. This effort seeks to fill a significant gap in Indian women's cricket by developing a pool of fast bowlers.
Current Landscape of Women's Cricket
The statistics reveal a concerning trend: in the 2025/26 Senior Women's Elite T20 Trophy, all top ten wicket-takers were spinners. Similarly, in the Women's U-19 T20 Trophy Elite, all five leading wicket-takers were spinners, and in the Women's U-23 T20 Trophy Elite, two of the top three were also spinners. Since 2023, only six pacers and all-rounders have debuted for India across formats, which is half the number of spinners who have made their debuts.
Significance of the Speed Queen Initiative
This ongoing trend was evident during India's U-19 T20 World Cup victory in 2025, where the top three wicket-takers were all spinners. This pattern underscores a systemic issue in identifying and nurturing fast bowlers, making the Speed Queen initiative a potentially transformative effort.
Implementation of the Trials
According to Jayesh George, WPL Committee Chairman, the initiative was conceived during discussions on how to engage grassroots talent following the Women's ODI World Cup victory. The plan is to conduct trials in districts surrounding the five WPL franchises, covering 25 locations.
Participants register in their respective age groups (U-19 or U-23) and select their nearest WPL franchise zone. They are required to upload side-on bowling videos, ideally using white leather balls, showcasing their full run-ups and ball release in landscape mode.
Submissions are screened using AI technology and expert coach evaluations. Those shortlisted will be invited for physical trials in their zones. The system accommodates video files up to 10MB in various formats such as MP4, MOV, M4V, MKV, WEBM, and AVI.
Pathway for Selected Bowlers
The initiative not only identifies talent but also provides a clear pathway for selected bowlers to serve as net bowlers for WPL franchises, offering them valuable exposure and a chance to be considered for the main squads or the national women's selection committee.
Community Response and Future Prospects
George noted the increased interest from parents and aspiring players in cricket coaching camps, indicating a growing enthusiasm for the sport. He emphasized that the Speed Queen initiative is a significant step towards enhancing the women's cricket ecosystem.
Former India captain Anjum Chopra views the campaign as vital for bridging the fast-bowling gap, stating that it provides opportunities for players who might not otherwise have a platform to showcase their skills.
Chopra believes that this initiative could uncover exceptional fast-bowling talent, which is crucial for the future of women's cricket in India.
Expert Opinions on the Initiative
Jatin Paranjape, a former India international, expressed a cautious optimism about the initiative, suggesting it may have been better implemented earlier. He highlighted the importance of having skilled talent scouts at the trials to ensure the identification of quality players.
As the WPL gears up for its fourth season, the Speed Queen initiative is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of women's fast bowling in India, potentially leading to the emergence of the next generation of stars.