Radha Yadav: Rising Star of Indian Women’s Cricket
Role: Bowler
DOB: April 21, 2000
IPL Team (2026): Delhi Capitals
Base Price: ₹40 Lakhs (WPL 2023 Auction)
WPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 44 | 13 | 6 | 78 | 18* | 11.14 | 75 | 104.00 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 15 |
| 2026 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 10* | 18.00 | 15 | 120.00 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 8* | 15.00 | 12 | 125.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2024 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 12* | 8.50 | 16 | 106.25 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 2023 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 6* | 3.00 | 10 | 90.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 44 | 804 | 945 | 48 | 4/20 | 19.69 | 7.05 | 20.83 | 2 | 0 |
| 2026 | 10 | 240 | 260 | 14 | 3/22 | 18.57 | 6.50 | 17.14 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 192 | 220 | 12 | 3/25 | 18.33 | 6.87 | 16.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 9 | 216 | 252 | 10 | 4/20 | 25.20 | 7.00 | 21.60 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 9 | 138 | 202 | 4 | 1/16 | 50.50 | 8.78 | 34.50 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Radha Yadav: Rising Star of Indian Women’s Cricket
From the dusty grounds of Uttar Pradesh to the bright lights of the WPL, Radha Yadav’s journey is a testament to perseverance and raw talent. Born in Mumbai but with roots in Jaunpur, UP, Radha picked up a cricket ball at a young age, quickly developing a knack for left-arm orthodox spin. Her early days were marked by dedication, often practicing with boys’ teams, honing her variations and control. Her breakthrough onto the national scene came swiftly, earning her a spot in the Indian T20I squad in 2018, where her fearless attitude and wicket-taking ability immediately caught the eye.
Radha’s entry into the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023 was highly anticipated, with Delhi Capitals securing her services for ₹40 Lakhs. While her debut season saw flashes of brilliance, it was the WPL 2024 season that truly announced her arrival as a premier spinner. She transformed into a genuine game-changer, consistently picking up crucial wickets and stifling opposition scoring rates. Her performance against Gujarat Giants in WPL 2024, where she snared 4 wickets for just 20 runs, including the crucial scalps of Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield, was a masterclass in spin bowling under pressure, showcasing her ability to turn matches on their head.
Her bowling style is characterized by subtle variations in pace, flight, and trajectory, making it incredibly difficult for batters to settle. She possesses a deceptive arm ball and a well-disguised slider, often luring batters into false shots. Beyond her primary role, Radha is also an agile fielder, known for her sharp reflexes and safe hands, often pulling off spectacular catches in the deep. Her calm demeanor under pressure, coupled with her aggressive intent to take wickets, makes her a formidable opponent and a valuable asset to any team.
WPL Journey: Team by Team
Radha Yadav has been a consistent presence for the Delhi Capitals since the inaugural WPL season. She was acquired by the franchise for ₹40 Lakhs in the very first WPL auction in 2023, a testament to her standing as a promising young talent in Indian cricket. In WPL 2023, she played a supporting role in a strong Delhi Capitals bowling attack, contributing with 4 wickets from 9 matches. While the numbers didn’t fully reflect her impact, her ability to bowl tough overs and maintain pressure was evident.
The 2024 season saw a significant uplift in her performance for the Capitals. She emerged as a key wicket-taker, bagging 10 wickets in 9 matches with a much-improved economy rate of 7.00. Her spellbinding 4/20 against Gujarat Giants was a season highlight, demonstrating her match-winning potential. Her consistent performances were instrumental in Delhi Capitals reaching the final. For the 2025 and 2026 seasons, she has been a retained player for the Delhi Capitals, with her value to the squad only increasing, solidifying her position as a core member of their spin attack and a vital cog in their pursuit of the WPL trophy.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
Radha Yadav offers a compelling case for bettors, particularly given her evolution as a bowler. Her primary strength lies in her ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs, often breaking crucial partnerships. She thrives on pitches that offer even a hint of turn, making her a strong bet in conditions favoring spin, especially at venues like the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium or Arun Jaitley Stadium. Her improved economy rate in recent seasons (sub-7.00 in 2024-2026 projections) also makes her a good pick for ‘under’ total runs conceded markets.
From a matchups perspective, Radha has historically troubled right-handed batters with her arm ball and subtle variations. Betting on her to take ‘over’ 1.5 wickets against teams with a predominantly right-handed middle order can be a shrewd move. Her fielding prowess also adds value; consider prop bets on catches if available. A potential weakness could be her occasional tendency to bowl a loose delivery under extreme pressure, which can be exploited by power-hitters. However, her overall consistency and wicket-taking ability, especially in the latter half of the WPL, make her a reliable option. She tends to perform better as the tournament progresses, suggesting a bet on her in the later stages of the league might yield better returns.
Key Records & Milestones
- Achieved her career-best WPL bowling figures of 4/20 against Gujarat Giants in WPL 2024.
- One of the few bowlers to maintain a WPL career economy rate below 7.50 (projected 7.05 by 2026) while consistently picking wickets.
- Crossed the 40-wicket mark in WPL career (projected 48 wickets by end of WPL 2026), establishing herself among the league’s leading wicket-takers.
- Consistently featured in the top 5 most economical bowlers for Delhi Capitals in WPL 2024 and subsequent projected seasons.
WPL Season Highlights
WPL 2024: This was Radha’s breakout season. She truly came into her own, becoming a vital cog in the Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack. Her standout performance came against Gujarat Giants, where she bamboozled their batting lineup with figures of 4/20, dismantling their top order and setting up a comfortable victory. She ended the season with 10 wickets from 9 matches at an impressive economy of 7.00, showcasing her ability to not only take wickets but also control the flow of runs.
WPL 2026 (Projected): Building on her strong 2024 and 2025 performances, Radha Yadav is projected to have her most impactful season yet. With 14 wickets from 10 matches at an exceptional economy of 6.50, she is expected to be a frontrunner for the Purple Cap. Her consistency in picking up wickets in the powerplay and middle overs, coupled with her tight lines, will make her an invaluable asset for Delhi Capitals as they aim for the championship, with several match-winning spells of 2-3 wickets a regular feature.