Kanika Ahuja

Kanika S Ahuja (born 07 August 2002) is an Indian cricketer who currently plays for Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore and India. She is a left-handed batter and right-arm off break bowler.

She made her international debut in September 2023, in a Twenty20 International for India against Malaysia.

Early life
Ahuja was born on 7 August 2002 in Patiala, Punjab.

Domestic career
Ahuja made her debut for Punjab in the 2017–18 Senior Women's T20 League against Odisha. She was the joint-leading wicket-taker in the 2021–22 Women's Senior One Day Trophy, with 15 wickets at an average of 13.13. She took her List A best bowling figures in that tournament, with 5/23 from 10 overs against Maharashtra. She also made her List A high score in the same tournament, with 90 from 88 deliveries against Rajasthan.

In February 2023, Ahuja was signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore at the inaugural Women's Premier League auction, for the 2023 season. She played seven matches for the side that season, scoring 98 runs and taking two wickets. She was named as Player of the Match in her side's first win of the tournament, as she scored 48 from 30 deliveries and took 2 catches.

In February 2024, Ahuja was ruled out of WPL 2024 due to injuries.

International career
In June 2023, Ahuja played for India A at the 2023 ACC Women's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup. She was named as Player of the Match in the final as India A won the tournament, scoring 30* and taking two wickets.

In September 2023, Ahuja was named in her first India squad, for the Asian Games. She made her Twenty20 International debut in the quarter-final of the tournament, which was curtailed by rain. She played one further match at the tournament, the semi-final.