The Delhi Capitals on Tuesday posted video of Japanese player Ahilya Chandel who is currently with the team as a net bowler. According to Japan Cricket Association, Chandel will continue to train with the squad during the opening week of the upcoming WPL season. The Delhi Capitals captioned the video "We have a new friend from Japan"

Chandel expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, stating, "It will be amazing to join up with the squad and see how they go about their work. I can’t wait to bring back what I learn to the group in Japan and help our team achieve more success in the future."

Who is Ahilya Chandel?

Chandel is an Indian-origin cricketer who has an Indian father and a Japanese mother. However, she has spent most of her cricket-playing years in Australia.

Chandel made her Women's Twenty20 International (WT20I) debut on October 27, 2022, against Hong Kong. Since then, she has represented Japan in 32 WT20I matches, accumulating 279 runs with a highest score of 28* and an average of 12.68. With the ball, she has taken 30 wickets at an average of 17.06, including best figures of 4/8.

During ACC Women’s Premier Cup in 2024, Chandel made history becoming the first player from the country and overall the fourth player to bag four wickets in four balls against China.

She joins a unique list of players to achieve this rare feat. TAnuradha Doddaballapur (Germany): (3-2-1-5) against Austria on 14th August 2020, Shameelah Mosweu (Botswana): (4-1-3-6) against Mozambique on 10th September 2021, and Thipatcha Putthawong (3.5-0-8-5) against Netherlands on 14th July 2023 were the other bowlers to achieve the feat.