Kashvee Gautam is gaining recognition as one of India’s promising young talents in women’s cricket. Born on April 18, 2003, in Chandigarh, she is establishing herself as a right-arm medium-fast bowler known for her genuine pace, along with strong batting capabilities in the lower order. Her journey in the sport has been characterized by notable achievements, challenges, and a resilient comeback, reflecting the unpredictable nature of athletic development.
Early Spark: The U19 Breakthrough
Her breakthrough moment arrived in 2020—at just 16, Kashvee achieved something almost mythical: all 10 wickets in an Under‑19 One-Day Trophy match for Chandigarh against Arunachal Pradesh, along with a hat-trick and a handy batting cameo of 49 runs . That performance wasn’t just a statistical marvel—it was a statement of intent, capturing attention nationally and turning her into a player to watch.
WPL Auction Frenzy and Injury: Confidence Meets Setback
Two years later, Kashvee’s star glowed even brighter. In the 2024 WPL auction, Gujarat Giants shelled out ₹2 crore to secure her—an Indian cricket record for an uncapped player . In her words, the bidding felt “unreal,” a moment she celebrated with friends and teammates on a team bus turned impromptu party spot . But cricket, like life, is rarely neat. A foot injury forced her to sit out that season, tempering triumph with the patience of rehab and recovery .
Comeback Chronicles: WPL 2025 and India Call-Up
Kashvee returned stronger in 2025. In the Women’s Premier League, she played 9 matches for Gujarat Giants and grabbed 11 wickets—becoming the highest Indian wicket-taker that season . Her bowling was complemented by useful lower‑order power hitting and sharp fielding, reinforcing her value as a seam-bowling all‑rounder .
This strong showing earned her a maiden national call‑up for the ODI tri‑series against Sri Lanka and South Africa starting April 27, 2025 . As one coach put it, “They are focused and possess the attitude and ability to handle pressure in crunch situations” .
The Hardik Moment: Viral Gesture and Inspiration
A spark of viral magic followed: Hardik Pandya gifted Kashvee a custom bat after learning she admired him. The video of their interaction racked up over 80 million views on Instagram in just two days . That moment wasn’t just social media gold—it captured her humility and her connection to the broader cricketing community in a way few debuts can.
Setback Strikes Again: Injury and Resilience
Unfortunately, her international debut was cut short. Midway through her third ODI, a knee injury forced Kashvee out of the tri‑series. Scans indicated a lengthy rehab stretching into months—longer than she’d prepared for—and, honestly, it tested her endurance and mental strength . She spoke candidly about coping with the repeated setbacks:
“When scans revealed the injury to my right knee, I was mentally prepared for two‑three months [of rehab], but when recovery stretched to seven‑eight months, it became very difficult.”
WPL 2026: Reclaiming Momentum
Kashvee bounced back, recalibrated, and returned to action in WPL 2026. With only two competitive matches under her belt before the tournament, she and coach Nagesh Gupta spent ten focused days honing scrambled-seam deliveries, wrist position for swing, and a sharper bouncer . Her metrics speak for themselves: four wickets in four matches, excellent powerplay economy (the fifth-best among bowlers who bowled five-plus overs), and three early breakthroughs .
Plus, she even played a cameo with the bat—smashing a huge six from Nadine de Klerk’s over and joining a blistering 56‑run partnership in just 28 balls .
Summary of Her Journey
Starred early with record U19 performance
Auctioned for ₹2 crore but injury delayed her debut
Returned with a bang in WPL 2025; earned national call‑up
Sidelined again—this time by a knee injury after debut
Reemerged in WPL 2026 with sharpened skills and confidence
Narrative Reflections: The Human Behind the Stats
What stands out isn’t just the numbers—that 10‑wicket haul, the 11 WPL wickets, or the econ‑rate improvements—but the ebb and flow of Kashvee’s journey. She’s handled auction euphoria, rehab setbacks, viral moments, and living-room spotlight—all while staying rooted, introspective, and driven. These aren’t textbook trajectories; they’re human, imperfect, and real.
Her story reflects a broader shift in women’s cricket: how platforms like WPL amplify previously hidden talent, how players can navigate setbacks with resilience, and how inspiration can come from coaching drills as much as social media clips.
Concluding Thoughts
Kashvee Gautam’s rise—marked by record-breaking auctions, breakthrough bowling spells, and social‑media moments—carries a deeper narrative of grit, adaptation, and balance. She embodies the duality of modern women’s cricket: fierce on-field ambition paired with authentic, everyday struggles. As she continues her comeback arc, each delivery and bat swing signals that she’s not just playing a game—she’s crafting a story of comeback, credibility, and unfiltered cricketing heart.
FAQs
What is Kashvee Gautam best known for?
She’s notably the first Indian woman to take all 10 wickets in a limited-overs U19 match, also scoring 49 runs in that game, and later becoming the most expensive uncapped player in WPL history.
Did Kashvee play in the WPL 2024?
No, she missed the 2024 season due to a foot injury despite being bought by Gujarat Giants for ₹2 crore.
How did Kashvee perform in WPL 2025?
She claimed 11 wickets in 9 matches, becoming the highest Indian wicket-taker in that season, and showcased useful lower-order hitting and sharp fielding.
Has she played for India yet?
Yes—she earned her maiden ODI call-up for the tri-series against Sri Lanka and South Africa in April 2025 but was sidelined due to a knee injury after her third match.
How did Kashvee bounce back in 2026?
After extended rehab, she returned in WPL 2026, taking 4 wickets in 4 matches with strong powerplay performa
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