Nensi Patel

Nensi Hiteshkumar Patel, born on May 27, 2002, in Bharuch, Gujarat, India, is a right-handed batting all-rounder and right-arm off-break bowler for New Zealand's White Ferns. She moved to New Zealand at age six and became the first Indian-born player in the team's history, earning her debut cap on February 25, 2026, at Seddon Park against Zimbabwe. Patel represents Northern Brave Women domestically and has played for New Zealand Women XI, New Zealand A Women, and North Island Women. Her journey began in village cricket in India before a school teacher in Tauranga introduced her to structured teams. She secured a White Ferns contract in the 2022–23 season after nearly a decade in domestic cricket.

Patel debuted in T20Is on February 25, 2026, against Zimbabwe at Seddon Park, Hamilton, taking 5 wickets across the 3-0 series whitewash at an average of 7.80 and economy of 3.25. In the subsequent ODIs, she claimed 2 wickets in three matches with an economy of 3.10, contributing to another clean sweep. Domestically, she excelled in the 2025-26 one-day competition, taking 14 wickets at 21.14 average including a four-wicket haul, while scoring 290 runs with three half-centuries. At 23, her lower-order batting and versatile bowling make her a key prospect for New Zealand.