Punam Raut: A Rising Star in Women’s Cricket

Punam Raut: A Rising Star in Women’s Cricket

Role: Batter
DOB: October 14, 1989
IPL Team (2026): Unsold/Not Drafted (2026 Auction)
Base Price: N/A (Undetermined as of 2026 Auction)

The Story of Punam Raut: A Veteran Awaiting Her IPL Call

Punam Raut, a name synonymous with classical batting and unwavering resolve in Indian women’s cricket, stands as a seasoned professional awaiting her moment in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) spotlight. Born in Mumbai, Raut’s journey began on the dusty maidans, honing a technique admired for its purity and textbook elegance. Her international debut for India came in 2009, and she quickly established herself as a reliable top-order batter, known for her ability to anchor an innings and play the long game. While the “rising star” moniker might seem unusual for a player of her experience, in the context of the nascent WPL, her potential to still make a significant impact remains a compelling narrative.

Raut’s career highlights include crucial performances in ICC tournaments, most notably her century against Australia in the 2017 Women’s World Cup, a knock that showcased her temperament under pressure and her capacity to convert starts into substantial scores. Her ability to rotate the strike and find gaps, combined with a solid defensive game, made her a vital cog in India’s ODI setup for over a decade. While T20 cricket demands a higher strike rate, Raut’s experience and ability to bat through an innings could offer invaluable stability to any WPL franchise looking for a reliable opener.

Despite her extensive international career (4 Tests, 73 ODIs, 46 T20Is for India), the WPL auction has, surprisingly, not yet seen a franchise bid for her services. This has left many fans and pundits scratching their heads, wondering when this elegant batter will finally grace the WPL stage. Her domestic T20 performances, while not always explosive, have demonstrated her continued ability to contribute with the bat, making her a dark horse candidate for future seasons, especially for teams seeking experience and a steady hand at the top.

IPL Journey: Awaiting the Call

Punam Raut’s IPL (WPL) journey, to date, is one of anticipation. Despite being a part of the auction pools since the league’s inception in 2023, she has remained unsold in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 auctions. This has been a perplexing situation for a player with her international pedigree and experience. While younger, more explosive talents have often been prioritized in the T20 format, Raut’s classical approach and ability to build an innings could offer a unique dimension to a WPL squad. Her base price, when she has entered the auction, has typically been in the lower brackets, making her a potentially high-value pick for teams looking for an experienced Indian batter without breaking the bank. As of the 2026 auction, she remains unpicked, but her name continues to be a talking point among those who believe in the value of seasoned campaigners.

What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective

From a betting perspective, Punam Raut represents a fascinating, albeit currently unutilized, asset. Her primary strength lies in her ability to anchor an innings. In a format often dominated by power-hitting, Raut offers stability, making her a potential “runs scored” bet if she were to get a WPL contract and open the innings. She is less prone to rash shots early on, focusing on building partnerships and setting a platform. This makes her a relatively safe bet for reaching a certain individual score (e.g., over 20.5 runs) on pitches that offer some assistance to bowlers or when chasing a moderate total.

However, her strike rate in T20s has historically been a point of contention. Bettors would need to consider this for “total runs” or “fastest fifty” markets. She thrives on pitches where timing is key and boundaries are accessible through placement rather than brute force. Against spin, she is particularly adept at using her feet and finding gaps. Her consistency, when in form, is a significant advantage, reducing the risk of early dismissals. Betting on Raut would be a strategic play for teams needing stability in their top order, especially in high-pressure games or on challenging surfaces. Her value would also increase if a team is looking for an experienced Indian player to mentor younger talent, adding an intangible benefit not always reflected in stats but crucial for team dynamics.

Key Records & Milestones (International/Domestic)

• 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup Century: Scored 106 runs against Australia, her maiden ODI century, showcasing her big-match temperament.
• Consistent ODI Performer: Amassed 2295 runs in 73 ODIs for India, with 3 centuries and 15 half-centuries, maintaining a career average of 30.60.
• Test Match Experience: Played 4 Test matches for India, including a crucial 76 against England in 2014.
• Domestic T20 Veteran: Has been a consistent performer in India’s domestic T20 circuit, accumulating valuable experience in the format.

IPL Season Highlights: Awaiting Her Debut

As Punam Raut has not yet played in the Women’s Premier League, there are no IPL (WPL) season highlights to report. However, her career is replete with domestic and international performances that hint at the impact she could make should she get an opportunity. Fans eagerly await the season when Punam Raut finally steps onto the WPL field, bringing her elegant batting and vast experience to the league. Her best domestic T20 performances have often involved anchoring chases or setting up competitive totals, demonstrating her adaptability and enduring class in the shortest format.