Gen Next sets the pace: Four pacers eye India selection after 13,000-strong talent hunt

Gen Next sets the pace: Four young women fast bowlers eye India selection after 13,000-strong talent hunt

BENGALURU — Sometimes all it takes to unlock talent is a spark, and for Akshita Bhagat, Palak Singh, Rohita Chowdry and Joshna Angel, that spark came through the WPL Speed Queen initiative. 🏏

These four were among more than 13,000 aspirants who registered for the talent hunt. Around 7,500 made it to the trials, before just 56 finalists showcased their speed, strength and ambition at the finale in Mumbai. Their performances have since thrown open yet another door — the BCCI Centre of Excellence, where they now train under coach Krishna Kumar, aiming straight for India.

Akshita Bhagat — The Mohali teenager (19) was last month named in the India 'A' ODI squad for the home series vs Australia 'A' — a huge leap from gully cricket. A batter turned pace bowler, she counts Harmanpreet Kaur, Dale Steyn and Ellyse Perry as role models. "Being around established players allowed me to pick their brains," she said, now setting her sights on a senior India camp.

Joshna Angel — At just 15, this Chennai pocket dynamo clocked 108 kmph at the trials. She picked up cricket out of boredom during the Covid lockdown, inspired by her father (a former TN medium pacer) and Lauren Bell. She met Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson at camp, and declared her goal boldly: "I want to play for India."

Palak Singh — Athletics was her first calling, but cricket won her over. Three years into the game, the 15-year-old clocked 108 kmph zonally and 106 kmph in the finale. Inspired by Mitchell Starc, she's now learning that pace is only part of the game — accuracy, swing and variations matter too. Her immediate target: the India U19 side.

Rohita Chowdry — A former heptathlete from Bengaluru, this 24-year-old clocked 109 kmph in the initial round. She was struggling to make the senior Karnataka team when Speed Queen came along as a "ray of hope." She holds a degree in international relations and draws inspiration from Jhulan Goswami's longevity — and credits a chat with CoE head of cricket VVS Laxman as a camp highlight.

Four young guns, one shared dream — the future of Indian women's fast bowling looks bright. ✨

Source: Times of India