Poonam Yadav: India’s Leg Spin Sensation
Role: Bowler
DOB: August 24, 1991
IPL Team (2026): Unsold (WPL Context)
Base Price: 10 Lakhs (WPL 2024 Auction)
Please Note: Poonam Yadav is a prominent player in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), not the Indian Premier League (IPL). The statistics below reflect her WPL career, presented within the requested “IPL CAREER STATISTICS” structure.
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 2 | 24 | 31 | 0 | – | – | 7.75 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 24 | 31 | 0 | – | – | 7.75 | – | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Poonam Yadav: India’s Leg Spin Sensation
In the vibrant tapestry of Indian cricket, Poonam Yadav stands out as a diminutive giant, a leg-spin wizard whose flight and guile have bamboozled batters across the globe. Hailing from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Poonam’s journey to the pinnacle of international cricket is a testament to perseverance and a unique skill set. Her foray into the professional circuit saw her quickly rise through the ranks, making her T20I debut for India in 2013. What she lacks in height, she more than makes up for with her deceptive loop, subtle variations, and an uncanny ability to turn the ball sharply, even on unresponsive pitches.
Poonam’s breakthrough on the international stage was marked by consistent performances, becoming India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is for several years. Her ability to pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs, often stifling opposition scoring rates, made her an indispensable asset. She was instrumental in India’s journey to the 2020 T20 World Cup final, where her spell against Australia in the opening match (4/19) remains etched in memory, showcasing her big-match temperament and ability to deliver under pressure.
While her international career has been stellar, her Women’s Premier League (WPL) journey has been brief but held immense promise. Picked by Delhi Capitals in the inaugural WPL auction for INR 30 lakhs, her inclusion was seen as a strategic move to add experience and wicket-taking prowess to their spin department. Despite her limited appearances in WPL 2023, her reputation precedes her, and her presence in any squad adds a layer of strategic depth, ready to exploit any weakness in the opposition’s batting lineup with her classic leg-spin.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Poonam Yadav’s journey in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) began with the Delhi Capitals. In the inaugural WPL auction in 2023, she was acquired by the Delhi Capitals for a sum of INR 30 lakhs. Her signing was a nod to her vast international experience and her proven track record as a wicket-taking leg-spinner. During the WPL 2023 season, she featured in two matches for the Capitals. While she bowled 4 overs across these games, conceding 31 runs without picking up a wicket, her role was primarily to provide depth and an experienced option in the spin department.
Following her stint with the Delhi Capitals in 2023, Poonam Yadav entered the WPL 2024 auction with a base price of 10 lakhs. However, she unfortunately went unsold in that auction. Despite this, her reputation as one of India’s premier leg-spinners remains untarnished, and her potential to make an impact in future WPL seasons, should an opportunity arise, is undeniable. Her career trajectory is a testament to her skill, and while her WPL journey has been short, her international exploits speak volumes about her quality.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
From a betting perspective, Poonam Yadav presents an intriguing, albeit currently speculative, proposition in the WPL. Her primary strength lies in her classical leg-spin, characterized by significant flight and dip, which often deceives batters into mistiming their shots. She’s not a bowler who relies on raw pace; instead, her variations in trajectory, coupled with a well-disguised googly and flipper, make her a genuine wicket-taker. When betting on matches involving Poonam, consider pitches that offer even a hint of turn – she thrives on surfaces where she can extract bounce and spin.
Her international record, particularly her economy rate and wicket-taking ability in the middle overs, suggests she can be a valuable asset for “Most Wickets” prop bets if she gets a consistent run in the playing XI. However, her limited WPL appearances (2 matches, 0 wickets) mean there’s not enough direct WPL data to establish a consistent betting pattern. Bettors should look for team news regarding her inclusion and the nature of the pitch. If she’s playing on a turning track, her odds for taking 2+ wickets might offer value. Conversely, on flat tracks or against aggressive power-hitters who target spin, her economy might be vulnerable, making “Over/Under Runs Conceded” bets riskier.
Her consistency in international cricket is a strong indicator of her underlying skill, but WPL opportunities have been scarce. For future auctions or team selections, if she is picked, her experience and wicket-taking potential against right-handers make her a strategic pick. Bettors should monitor her form in domestic tournaments leading up to any potential WPL comeback, as that would be the most reliable indicator of her current effectiveness.
Key Records & Milestones
- India’s Leading T20I Wicket-Taker: For a significant period, Poonam Yadav held the record for the most wickets for India in Women’s T20 Internationals, a testament to her consistent performance at the highest level.
- ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Star: She was the joint-highest wicket-taker for India in the 2020 T20 World Cup, picking up 10 wickets in 5 matches, including a memorable 4/19 against Australia in the opening game.
- Only Indian Woman with 3+ Four-Wicket Hauls in T20Is: Poonam Yadav is the only Indian woman cricketer to have achieved three or more four-wicket hauls in T20 International cricket.
- Consistent Performer: Consistently ranked among the top T20I bowlers in the world by the ICC during her peak.
IPL Season Highlights
Poonam Yadav’s Women’s Premier League (WPL) journey began in the inaugural 2023 season with the Delhi Capitals. Acquired for INR 30 lakhs, she was an experienced addition to their spin attack. While her opportunities were limited, she featured in two matches for the Capitals. In her WPL debut against UP Warriorz on March 7, 2023, she bowled 2 overs, conceding 17 runs. Her second appearance came against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 13, 2023, where she bowled another 2 overs for 14 runs. Despite not picking up a wicket in these outings, her presence added depth to the squad, and she brought her wealth of international experience to the team environment. Her WPL career, though brief so far, highlights her potential to contribute significantly in future editions, given her proven track record on the international stage.