Bengaluru: After securing a spot in the Indian Under-19 team for the upcoming Asia Cup in Malaysia, Kerala cricketer V.J. Joshitha has added another remarkable achievement to her name.

The promising all-rounder was picked by the Bengaluru Royals Challengers for the Women's Premier League (WPL) auction, marking another significant milestone in her blossoming career.

Joshitha, who was recently selected for India's Under-19 team, has made a name for herself with impressive performances in domestic cricket. The Bengaluru Royals acquired her for a base price of Rs 10 lakh in the mini-auction for the WPL, held in Bengaluru. This is a huge step for Joshitha, who is now part of the growing wave of talented cricketers in the women's league.

The WPL auction also saw several other notable picks. Simran Shaikh emerged as the most expensive player, bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs 1.90 crore, followed by West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin, who was purchased for Rs 1.7 crore by the same franchise. 16-year-old Tamil Nadu talent G. Kamalini was bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs 1.6 crore. Along with Joshitha, Bengaluru Royals also secured promising talent such as Prema Rawat for Rs 1.2 crore.

Joshitha's rise is particularly significant as she hails from the Krishnagiri Cricket Academy, an emerging talent pool in Kerala. Known for producing future stars, the academy has been a launchpad for several successful players, and Joshitha's success follows in the footsteps of Kerala cricketers like Minnumani, Sajana Sajeevan, and Najla CMC.

The catalyst for Joshitha's inclusion in the Indian team came earlier this year during the Under-19 Tri-Nation Cup, where she delivered an outstanding performance as an all-rounder, taking seven wickets in a match. Her exceptional performance in the tournament helped her secure a place in the Indian squad for the Under-19 Asia Cup, set to take place in Malaysia from December 15. The Asia Cup will also serve as crucial preparation for the upcoming Under-19 Women's World Cup.

Hailing from Kalpetta, Joshitha's love for cricket began at a young age. For the past seven years, she has been training at the Krishnagiri Cricket Academy, where she has consistently impressed with her performances in various matches. Before making a name for herself at the national level, Joshitha captained Kerala's Under-19 team and also served as a net bowler for Delhi Capitals.

Joshitha joined the Krishnagiri Cricket Academy through the coaching camp of District Coach Amal Babu from the Cricket Association. She then trained under KCA coaches T. Deepthi and Justin Fernandes. She is currently a first-year undergraduate student at St. Mary's College, Sultan Bathery. Joshitha is the daughter of Joshi and Sreeja, hailing from the Maithanivayal village in Kalpetta.

Joshitha's remarkable journey is a testament to the potential and growth of women's cricket in Kerala and India. With a promising future ahead, she is undoubtedly one to watch in the rapidly expanding world of women's cricket.