Kanika Ahuja

Kanika Ahuja is a dynamic batting all-rounder known for her aggressive left-handed strokeplay and deceptive off-spin. Born on August 7, 2002, in Patiala, Punjab, she quickly became a household name during the inaugural WPL season, where she played a match-winning knock of 46 off 30 balls for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After a challenging 2024 that saw her sidelined due to a stress fracture in her back, her 2025 season was a triumphant return to form. She began the year with two centuries for Punjab in the domestic one-day tournament and made an immediate splash in the WPL 2025 opener, scoring a crucial 13-ball 30 and taking a wicket to lead RCB to a record-breaking chase against the Gujarat Giants. Her consistency continued into the 2025 Senior Women’s One Day Challenger Trophy, where she was named Player of the Match in January 2025 for a vital all-round display.

During the 2026 Women’s Premier League mega auction in late 2025, Kanika moved to a new franchise as she was signed by the Gujarat Giants for ₹30 lakh. This acquisition is a strategic boost for the Giants, who have sought to add domestic 'finishers' capable of turning a game in the middle-to-death overs. Joining a powerhouse squad featuring Ashleigh Gardner and Sophie Devine, Kanika is expected to play a dual role as a high-strike-rate batter and a primary spin option. As she gears up for the 2026 season starting in January, the 23-year-old enters the tournament as a more mature and versatile player, looking to replicate her match-winning heroics and push for a regular spot in the Indian national side.