The United States women’s cricket team has been dealt a significant setback as young all-rounder Isani Vaghela has been suspended from bowling in international cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) handed down the suspension after an independent review determined her bowling action to be illegal.
The issue first surfaced during the USA’s match against Ireland in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier. Match officials flagged her delivery stride, leading the ICC’s Event Panel to scrutinize footage from her subsequent appearance in the victory over Papua New Guinea. Unfortunately for the 20-year-old medium-pacer, the panel concluded that her elbow extension exceeded the permitted limit, triggering an immediate ban from the bowling crease.
Career Impact and the Road to Reassessment for Vaghela
For Vaghela, this comes at a time when she was firmly establishing herself as a mainstay in the American lineup. Since her T20I debut in 2021, she has been a consistent wicket-taker, claiming 31 scalps in 39 matches. Her transition to the longer format was also showing promise, with four wickets in her first six ODIs. This suspension means she cannot bowl in international matches until she undergoes remedial work to correct her action and passes a formal ICC reassessment.
The timing is particularly tough for the USA squad. Despite a spirited performance in the Super Six stage, the team failed to secure a spot for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales. While the USA missed out, the qualifying tournament saw Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands punch their tickets for the main event this June. Vaghela will now likely focus on domestic cricket and specialized coaching to return to the international stage as soon as possible.
Quick Stats: Isani Vaghela’s International Record
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Debut Year |
| T20Is | 39 | 31 | 2021 |
| ODIs | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
What This Means for the Future of USA Women’s Cricket
Losing a primary bowling option is a hurdle for any developing nation, but for the USA, it highlights the need for deeper technical support within their high-performance programs. Vaghela is young enough to bounce back, and many world-class bowlers have successfully remodeled their actions to return even stronger. However, in the short term, the USA coaching staff will need to find a way to fill the void left by her medium-pace variations and her ability to break partnerships during the middle overs.
As the global game prepares for the World Cup in the UK, the USA will be heading back to the drawing board. The focus will now shift toward the next cycle of qualifiers, and ensuring Vaghela is cleared to bowl will undoubtedly be a top priority for the board.
