Punjab Newsline, Sports :
Jhunjhunu’s 18-year-old pacer Happy Kumari was picked by Gujarat Giants at a base price of Rs 10 lakh in the WPL 2026 auction
For 18-year-old fast bowler Happy Kumari from Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu, the WPL 2026 mega auction turned into a life-changing moment. As her name appeared on the auction screen and Gujarat Giants raised their paddle to buy her at a base price of Rs 10 lakh, celebrations erupted back home. Firecrackers lit up the neighbourhood, while her coach Ajay Kumar spent the night overwhelmed with emotion.
Happy’s cricketing journey has been far from conventional. Initially, cricket was never part of her plans. She was an athlete, specialising in the 100m and 200m races, and had little interest in the sport. Everything changed after the second Covid-19 wave, when her father encouraged her to attend a 15-day summer cricket camp. What began as a casual experiment soon turned into a passion that reshaped her future.
Coach Ajay Kumar quickly identified Happy’s athletic strength and raw pace, steering her towards fast bowling. While she initially wanted to focus on batting, her speed and stamina stood out. Ajay believed pace was a rare asset in women’s cricket and made it her biggest strength, trusting that line and length would follow with time. Gradually, fast bowling became Happy’s identity.
The road was demanding. Early morning practice sessions starting at 4 am, balancing school and training, and hours of intense practice tested her resolve. Throughout it all, her family stood firmly behind her, while her coach went the extra mile to train her longer and harder than others.
The year 2024 proved to be a breakthrough. Happy captained Rajasthan’s Under-19 side, earned selection for national camps, and began attracting attention at the domestic level. Her consistent performances eventually caught the eye of WPL franchises.
Now part of Gujarat Giants, Happy Kumari sees the WPL as more than just a tournament. With her express pace as her biggest weapon, she aims to make WPL 2026 a stepping stone towards her ultimate dream—earning a place in the Indian women’s cricket team.