Poonam Khemnar

Poonam Khemnar is a dynamic leg-spinning all-rounder and a seasoned veteran of the domestic circuit, known for her ability to stabilize an innings and provide crucial breakthroughs. Born on May 9, 1994, in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, she has built a reputation as a resilient 'utility' player across multiple state teams, including Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Baroda. Her 2025 season was particularly impressive; playing for Baroda in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy, she notched up 150 runs in seven innings—highlighted by a vital unbeaten 49* against Uttar Pradesh—and maintained a disciplined economy rate of 6.90. This followed her historic achievement of scoring the first-ever century for Nagaland in the Women's Senior One Day Cup, a feat that remains a benchmark for cricketers from the region.

During the 2026 Women’s Premier League mega auction in late 2025, Poonam’s experience as a reliable domestic stabilizer made her a targeted pick for the defending champions. After previous stints with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and UP Warriorz, she was signed by the Mumbai Indians for ₹10 lakh. Joining the 'One Family' setup, she provides the squad with much-needed middle-order depth and a secondary leg-spin option to complement Amelia Kerr. With over 1,200 runs and 34 wickets in her T20 career, Poonam enters the 2026 season starting in January as a veteran ready to play a 'finisher' role under Harmanpreet Kaur. Her journey from the streets of Ahmednagar to the star-studded Mumbai dugout is a testament to the longevity and skill that defines the backbone of Indian domestic cricket.