Houston-based fast bowler Rhea Nadkarni, 15, has made several trips to Mumbai to spend time with her grandfather Uday Ajgaonkar at his Dadar home in the past. Rhea, a Class IX student and tall cricketer (five-foot-nine) has also enjoyed several practice games at various maidans across the city during those visits. Her current visit though has ended up being extra-special for her and the family.

Pacer Rhea clocked an impressive 104.61 kmph to finish third in the U-19 all-India final round of the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) Speed Queen contest selection trials at Islam Gymkhana on Monday. Palak Singh from Nagpur (106 kmph) finished first, while Lucknow-based Anshika Yadav (105 kmph) stood second. Interestingly, Rhea had qualified for this final round by topping the initial selection round at the Air India ground in Kalina on January 26, clocking a similar 104.61 kmph.