Rajeshwari Gayakwad: A Rising Star in Women’s Cricket
Role: Bowler
DOB: June 01, 1991
IPL Team (2026): UP Warriorz
Base Price: ₹40 Lakh
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 17 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1* | 1.00 | 6 | 33.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2024 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1* | 1.00 | 3 | 33.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1* | 1.00 | 3 | 33.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 17 | 348 | 433 | 10 | 2/17 | 43.30 | 7.46 | 34.80 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 8 | 168 | 203 | 6 | 2/17 | 33.83 | 7.25 | 28.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 9 | 180 | 230 | 4 | 2/20 | 57.50 | 7.66 | 45.00 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Rajeshwari Gayakwad: A Rising Star in Women’s Cricket
From the dusty grounds of Bijapur, Karnataka, to the grand stage of the IPL, Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s journey is a testament to perseverance and raw talent. A left-arm orthodox spinner with an uncanny ability to control the flow of runs, Rajeshwari emerged from humble beginnings, supported by a family that recognized her cricketing potential early on. Her initial forays into cricket involved tennis ball games, honing the natural wrist action and subtle variations that would later become her trademark. Her consistent performances in domestic circuits, marked by tight spells and crucial breakthroughs, quickly caught the eye of national selectors, paving her way into the Indian team.
Rajeshwari’s IPL entry was a significant moment, as she was snapped up by UP Warriorz for ₹40 lakh in the inaugural auction. She immediately became a vital cog in their spin attack, bringing a wealth of international experience and a calm demeanor under pressure. Her playing style is characterized by impeccable line and length, often denying batters easy scoring opportunities. She’s not a spinner who relies on prodigious turn; instead, her strength lies in subtle flight variations, changes in pace, and the ability to bowl accurately even in the powerplay and death overs. This tactical versatility makes her a captain’s delight.
Her breakthrough moments in the IPL often come in the form of economical spells that build pressure, leading to wickets at the other end, or picking up crucial scalps herself when the opposition looks to accelerate. While her wicket tally might not always be the highest, her impact on the game’s momentum is undeniable. She’s known for her mental fortitude, rarely getting flustered even when under attack, and consistently sticking to her plans. This resilience, combined with her technical prowess, has solidified her reputation as one of the most reliable spinners in the league.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Rajeshwari Gayakwad has been a loyal and consistent performer for the UP Warriorz since the inception of the IPL. In the inaugural 2023 auction, she was acquired by the Warriorz for a sum of ₹40 lakh, a clear indication of the franchise’s faith in her left-arm spin. She immediately justified that faith, becoming an integral part of their bowling unit. Her performance in 2023 saw her feature in 9 matches, where she bowled with impressive economy, often stifling opposition scoring rates despite a modest wicket count of 4.
Her consistent display and value to the team led to her retention by the UP Warriorz for the 2024 season. In 2024, Rajeshwari continued to be a linchpin, playing 8 matches and showing an improved wicket-taking ability, bagging 6 wickets while maintaining her customary tight economy. Her journey has been exclusively with the UP Warriorz, solidifying her status as a foundational player for the franchise, consistently delivering economical spells and providing crucial control in the middle overs.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
For bettors, Rajeshwari Gayakwad presents a fascinating case study in consistency and strategic value. Her primary strength lies in her exceptional economy rate. She is a bowler who consistently keeps runs down, making her an excellent bet for “Under” total runs conceded in a match, especially on pitches that offer even a hint of turn. Her control over line and length means she rarely bowls loose deliveries, forcing batters to take risks.
She thrives on slow, turning tracks, where her subtle variations and flight become more potent. Venues like Delhi or Brabourne, known for assisting spinners, are where she’s most dangerous. Against teams with a predominantly right-handed batting lineup, Gayakwad’s left-arm spin becomes even more effective, often creating difficult angles and forcing errors. Consider betting on her for “Over” wickets when the pitch is a confirmed turner and she’s bowling against such a lineup.
However, her weakness can be on flat, true batting surfaces where the ball doesn’t grip. On such pitches, aggressive batters, particularly strong left-handers, might target her, potentially increasing her economy and reducing her wicket-taking chances. While she’s consistent with her economy, her wicket-taking can fluctuate, so betting on “Over” wickets should be reserved for favorable conditions. She’s a reliable option for “most economical bowler” props or “bowler to concede fewest boundaries” in specific matchups. Her value often lies in setting up wickets for other bowlers, making her an indirect contributor to the overall bowling performance.
Key Records & Milestones
- One of the few left-arm orthodox spinners to feature in every IPL season since its inception (2023-2024).
- Maintained an IPL career economy rate of 7.46 across 17 matches, showcasing exceptional control.
- Part of the inaugural UP Warriorz squad, retained for consecutive seasons.
- Achieved her career-best IPL figures of 2/17 in the 2024 season, demonstrating improved wicket-taking prowess.
- Consistently among the most economical Indian spinners in the IPL.
IPL Season Highlights
Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s IPL journey has been marked by consistent, impactful performances, particularly in the recent seasons. In the 2024 IPL season, she truly stepped up, bagging 6 wickets from 8 matches with an improved average of 33.83 and an excellent economy rate of 7.25. Her best performance came with figures of 2/17, showcasing her ability to pick up crucial wickets while maintaining a tight leash on the scoring. She played a pivotal role in several Warriorz’ victories, often bowling key overs in the middle phase to stem the flow of runs.
Her inaugural 2023 IPL season was equally vital, even if her wicket tally was lower. Playing 9 matches, she picked up 4 wickets but bowled with an impressive economy of 7.66. Her ability to bowl dot balls and build pressure was evident, with memorable spells where she conceded very few runs, like her 0/20 from 4 overs against Gujarat Giants. These economical performances were crucial in allowing other bowlers to attack and take wickets, proving her value as a team player and a strategic asset for the UP Warriorz.