The best-playing XI of the Women’s Premier League 2023

The best-playing XI of the Women’s Premier League 2023

On a night when Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai Indians lifted the Women’s Premier League trophy, not only did the Women in Blue and Gold win, but it was a victory for women’s cricket. The successful conclusion of the inaugural Women’s Premier League ensured women’s cricket was watched in every Indian household.

Before the tournament began, we had maybe two or three Indian female cricketers like Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Smriti Mandhana, who were household names. But this competition has helped unearth the Saika Ishaques of the world, the Shreyanka Patils of the world, and the Alice Capseys of the world. They have reached the homes of billions of people all over the world. Their stunning efforts have generated the loudest roars in the stadium.

During the 3-week WPL, we saw some scintillating performances from the best female cricketers. From Issy Wong’s incredible hat trick against UP Warriorz in the Eliminator to Meg Lanning’s incredible batting throughout the WPL 2023.

In this article, we will have a look at the best-playing XI of the first-ever Women’s Premier League.

Openers: Yastika Bhatia (wk) and Hayley Matthews

The most successful opening combination of the WPL, Mumbai Indians’ Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews, are a force to reckon with. The left-right combo destroyed the bowling lineup of all the other teams in the WPL.

The left-handed Yastika returned 214 runs at a strike rate of 112.04, making multiple pivotal contributions that saw her win the Emerging Player of the Season award.

While her opening partner, Matthews, made contributions with the bat as well as the ball. The West Indian all-rounder took 16 wickets and amassed 271 runs in just ten games. She was also awarded the “Purple Cap” for taking the most wickets in the entire season.

Middle Order: Shafali Verma, Meg Lanning, and Nat Sciver-Brunt

The opening duo of Delhi Capitals, i.e., Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning, was the second most successful opening combination after the Mumbai duo of Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews.

Both Shafali and Lanning had a very successful WPL. Meg Lanning, leading the Delhi franchisee, took the team to the final of the tournament. Besides, she was also awarded for her wonderful and exquisite batting with the “Orange Cap.” Lanning made 345 runs in just nine innings at an average of 49.29.

Shafali Verma, who is creating waves with her attacking style of play, vowed cricket fans all across the world with her elegant strokes in the WPL. Shafali garnered 252 runs in nine innings at a stunning strike rate of 185.29.

The third player that holds the middle-order fort for this combined playing XI from the WPL is Mumbai Indians’ all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt. England international Natalie Sciver-Brunt took 10 wickets and scored 332 runs in 10 matches. Sciver-Brunt was adjudged the “Player of the Series” for her all-round performance. Sciver-Brunt played a magnificent knock in the final of the WPL to take her team to victory.

Lower-middle Order: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Harleen Deol, and Shreyanka Patil

With her aggressive and attacking leadership style, Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai Indians won the inaugural Women’s Premier League. Harmanpreet Kaur didn’t put a foot wrong in the entire WPL campaign. After smashing a blistering half-century in the opening match of the WPL, Harmanpreet Kaur didn’t put a foot wrong. Be it her leadership skills or her elegant batting, she was always in top form. Kaur scored 281 runs in 9 innings at an average of 40.14.

Gujarat Giants, who had a terrible season winning just 2 matches in the group stage, had one positive, i.e., Harleen Deol. The 24-year-old had an excellent season amassing 202 runs in just 8 matches at an impressive strike rate of 125.47. 

Shreyanka Patil was the only positive for the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore in an otherwise forgetful campaign. The youngster showed immense maturity in tense situations to take her team to victory from the clutches of defeat. A player for the future, Shreyanka’s incredible six against Gujarat Giants was quite reminiscent of AB de Villier’s legendary lap shot on the leg side. 

Spinners: Deepti Sharma and Saika Ishaque

Team India star Deepti Sharma had a decent WPL campaign. She didn’t quite play as per the high standards set by her. The off-spinner took nine wickets in nine matches at a strike rate of 23.22. 

The breakout star of the Women’s Premier League 2023, Saika Ishaque, also makes the list. The left-arm orthodox spinner took 15 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 16.27. Bought at her base price of INR 10 lakhs, Saika became the first cricketer to take 4 wickets in a WPL match.

Having an economy rate of 7.00, the left-arm spinner is considered the future of India.

Fast Bowlers: Shikha Pandey and Issy Wong

Young pace sensation from England Issy Wong set the WPL stage on fire with her fiery bowling spells that dismantled many batting lineups. Aside from picking up the first hat trick in the competition’s history, Wong was at her penetrative best throughout WPL 2023. She finished with 15 wickets from 10 games at an economy rate of 6.46.

Sharing the new ball duties with Wong is Team India star Shikha Pandey. She was the best pacer Indian pacer on display at the inaugural WPL. With her accurate and intelligent bowling, she captured 10 wickets in just 9 matches at an average of 21.10.

Best Playing XI of the WPL:  Yastika Bhatia (wk),  Hayley Matthews, Shafali Verma, Meg Lanning, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Harleen Deol, Shreyanka Patil, Deepti Sharma, Saika Ishaque, Shikha Pandey and Issy Wong.

Harmanpreet Kaur's MI are the first-ever WPL champions

Harmanpreet Kaur’s MI are the first-ever WPL champions

Yesterday was a historic day for women’s cricket. The reason? The final of the first-ever Women’s Premier League was conducted at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium, which saw Harmanpreet Kaur’s Mumbai Indians face Meg Lanning-led Delhi Capitals.

On a starry Mumbai night, the WPL final saw the Mumbai Indians beat Delhi Capitals by 7 wickets thanks to some disciplined bowling and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s composed half-century.

Batting first, Delhi Capitals had a disastrous start losing three wickets for just 35 runs on the board. Despite the top-order collapse, Meg Lanning was standing tall before the disciplined bowling of Mumbai Indians. But a terrible mixup with Jess Jonnassen saw Lanning’s wonderful innings come to a halt. And from there saw a collapse from the Delhi batters. However, a late flourish from Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadav saw the team go past 130 runs on the board. The Delhi Capitals innings ended on 131 runs on the fall of 9 wickets.

Chasing the target, Mumbai didn’t have the start they expected. The Women in Blue and Gold lost two quick wickets in under 4 overs, with the score reading just 23 runs. As it seemed like Mumbai would bottle the chase, two of Mumbai Indians’ strong pillars, Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt, played some intelligent cricket. The two stitched a 72-run stand to take their team within touching distance.

After Harmanpreet’s dismissal, Sciver-Brunt took it upon herself to take the team home. With help from Amelia Kerr, the duo toyed with the Delhi Capitals’ bowling to win the match for the team.

With this team, Mumbai Indians carved their name in history, becoming the first-ever champions of the WPL.

Let’s have a look at how the Twitter world reacted after the wonderful win by Harmanpreet Kaur and her girls.

 

 

 

 

 

Mumbai Indians’ WPL campaign was filled with several excellent individual performances that helped them become the champions. West Indian all-rounder, Hayley Matthews’s brilliant effort in the bowling department won her the “Purple Cap.” Matthews took 16 wickets in just 10 games at an average of 12.62.

England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt was adjudged the “Player of the Series” for her all-round performance. Sciver-Brunt took 10 wickets and scored 332 runs in 10 matches. Sciver-Brunt was marginally behind Meg Lanning for the “Orange Cup.”

The successful conclusion to the first-ever Women’s Premier League showed that women’s league cricket is here to stay. With the support and love that the WPL 2023 has got, the next edition promises to be bigger and better.

Women Cricketers who are very similar to their Male Compatriots

It is disheartening to witness disparities in the coverage and promotion of men’s and women’s cricket, with the men’s game receiving more attention and broadcasting on multiple channels while the women’s version is largely left out of sight, playing games in empty stadiums without much exposure. Hopefully, we can work towards achieving more recognition for women’s cricket in the future. 

Women’s cricket has been growing in popularity in recent years as more people are becoming aware of the sport. This is due to initiatives such as the ICC Women’s World Cup, which has provided a platform for female cricketers worldwide to showcase their skills and get more recognition. Additionally, many nations are now investing in their women’s cricket teams and providing better facilities for their players. 

The times are changing for women’s cricket, and more emphasis is placed on the sport. For example, the ICC Women’s World Cup, the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) are all great initiatives designed to inspire and promote female cricketers from around the world. These tournaments have been very successful in terms of providing a platform for these players to showcase their skills and receive more recognition. As these initiatives continue to grow, we can only expect to see more progress and opportunities for female cricketers. 

It’s incredible to see how some of the female cricketers today have honed their skills and are matching the performances of some of the greatest legends in men’s cricket. These five women cricketers, particularly Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Smriti Mandhana, and Shabnim Ismail, have shown remarkable skill in batting, bowling, and fielding, which is reminiscent of those of their counterparts in the men’s game. They are truly setting the bar for future generations of female cricketers. 

Women Cricketers who are very similar to their male compatriots 

Smriti Mandhana and Sourav Ganguly 

According to her childhood coach, Smriti Mandhana used to imitate Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara when she was younger. However, she reminds me of another male player – former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. Mandhana has been compared to Ganguly for her aggressive batting style, fearless approach to the game, and remarkable ability to switch gears when the situation demands it. Her power-packed performances have made her one of the world’s most feared batters. 

Being right-handed but left-handed batters, both Mandhana and Ganguly are incredibly strong when playing shots on the off side. Similarly to Ganguly, Mandhana will stylishly cut anything short and, with a pinch of width through the gap between point and backward point, poke at the ball that is swinging away, then guide it to the third man to sneak in a single. When the ball is short and delivered right in front of them, both will go for the unconvincing pull that might or might not bring rewards. It should also be noted that they have another similarity – they both require glasses off the pitch. 

Both players also tend to play shots right off the middle of their bat, something that’s quite common among left-handed batsmen. What’s more, they both have an excellent work ethic, which helps them become better cricketers with each passing day. Their dedication and determination make them an inspiration to any aspiring cricketer. 

Mithali Raj and Sachin Tendulkar 

Mithali Raj is often compared to Sachin Tendulkar in terms of her batting prowess. She is known for her ability to read the pitch and adapt her game as per the conditions. She also has a great range of shots and swift footwork and is considered one of the most elegant batswomen in the game. Similar to Tendulkar, she has a wide range of strokes to choose from and relies heavily on placement rather than power. Despite the immense pressure of performing at the highest level, her composure and presence at the crease have earned her a reputation second only to Tendulkar. 

Mithali Raj and Sachin Tendulkar have a few similarities in their batting approach. Both employ a patient approach while batting, relying on technique and skill rather than brute power. They both possess an intuitive eye for the game and can adapt quickly to changing conditions. Tendulkar was known for his ability to read the pitch and adjust his batting accordingly, and Mithali Raj is no different. Additionally, they share a passion for the game, a cool head under pressure, and are considered two of the top cricketers of their respective generations. 

Mithali Raj has spoken highly of Sachin Tendulkar, calling him an inspiration and praising his technique. She has said that her batting style is heavily influenced by Tendulkar’s and that she looks up to him as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game. She also said that she tries to emulate Tendulkar’s approach when it comes to batting, citing his patience and skill as major influences on her batting. 

“Sachin Tendulkar has been an inspiration for me – he is one of the greatest batsmen of all time. His technique and patience at the crease is something I have tried to emulate in my batting,” – Mithali Raj. 

Harmanpreet Kaur and Yuvraj Singh 

Much has been said and written about Harmanpreet Kaur’s dominant performance that enabled India to easily win against Australia in the World Cup semi-final back in 2019. People have even likened her knock to Kapil Dev’s against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup. However, according to us, Kaur is more similar to another great Indian player Yuvraj Singh. Both of them have a similar high back-lift, powerful follow-through, and the ability to inflict enormous damage. This similarity is evident in the way they play. 

They both take time to become acquainted with the pitch before unleashing their power, and they tend to prefer the midwicket region. Neither of them has mechanical batting styles – their batting is full of fluidity and grace. Moreover, both Kaur and Singh are renowned for performing well in important matches. 

Both players also have an excellent knack for picking the right delivery to hit, something that has made them two of the most dangerous batsmen in the world. They also possess tremendous power and great timing, allowing them to clear boundaries with ease. They have been the difference makers in many matches and will continue to be so in the future. 

Their versatility allows them to adapt to different kinds of pitches and bowlers, making them difficult to contain. Both Kaur and Singh are also known for their effervescent style of cricket, which is often a pleasure to watch. Moreover, they possess great leadership qualities and can mentor and inspire their teammates, making them invaluable assets in any team. 

Suzie Bates and Brendon McCullum 

Suzie Bates is often compared to Brendon McCullum for her batting performance. She is a powerful batter who can vary her strokes according to the conditions, similar to the way McCullum did. Both batters have a reputation for taking calculated risks and looking to score freely. They also share good footwork and can move quickly to position themselves for a shot. Furthermore, both batters are known for their commitment to the team and leading from the front. 

In terms of similarities, both Suzie Bates and Brendon McCullum have a knack for attacking the opposition. They are not afraid to go after the bowlers and attack from ball one, something which makes them a threat to the opposition. Additionally, their ability to hit shots all around the wicket is something that has earned them great admiration. Furthermore, both batters are unafraid of playing attacking shots and take calculated risks to score runs quickly. 

Suzie Bates has spoken highly of Brendon McCullum, praising him for his creativity and attacking style. She has said, “I take a lot of inspiration from McCullum. I aspire to his ability to think outside the box and find creative solutions to problems on the field. His never say die attitude is something I try and replicate in my own game.” 

Suzie Bates has also mentioned that she admires McCullum for his ability to adapt to different conditions and his willingness to take risks when batting. She believes he is an example of how a batsman can succeed even with a relatively unorthodox style. 

Marizanne Kapp and Shaun Tait 

Marizanne Kapp, the top ODI bowler, is spearheading the most formidable fast-bowling attack in the world when it comes to women’s cricket. Her skillset bears significant similarities with the Australian bowler Shaun Tait, even though Shaun Tait never became the no.1 ranked bowler. 

Kapp’s brisk run-up, smooth action, and late outswing all resemble Tait’s fiery bowling. Both of them are known for their speed, and they generally bowl too many extras (wides) as they often drift off the line – something they make up for with their pace. The only real difference between the two is that Kapp is a capable lower-order batter who usually stays fit and plays consistently – something Tait was unable to do. 

Furthermore, the South African’s durability and consistency make her the ideal package for a fast bowler, as she can bowl long spells and take wickets over a long period. Kapp also can think on her feet as she reads the batters’ movement and reacts accordingly. This combination of skill and agility makes Kapp one of the most dangerous bowlers in the world.

RCB Women register their first win in WPL

RCB Women register their first win in WPL

After five successive defeats, Royal Challengers Bangalore Women have registered their first victory in the Women’s Premier League. The Smriti Mandhana led-side has defeated UP Warriorz by five wickets thanks to their disciplined bowling and smart batting.

Winning the toss, RCB opted to field first. Taking full advantage of the conditions, the Bangalore side restricted the side to 135 runs. For RCB, Ellyse Perry was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 16 runs. Asha Shobhana and Sophie Devine took two wickets apiece.

While chasing, the Royal Challengers had a disastrous start. The Banglore side lost their skipper Smriti Mandhana for a duck. Mandhana’s opening partner Sophie Devine soon followed her to the pavilion. The side was in a difficult situation when Kanika Ahuja and Richa Ghosh stitched an important partnership to take the side home.

Mandhana was all praises for the young batters. In the post-match ceremony, she said, “Yeah, it was tense. We lost a couple of wickets in the 7th over, it was a bit nervous. But the way Kanika and Richa played was brilliant. Kanika in particular, really proud of her. Really excited to see her bat, the approach she has. She is a 360 degree player, who isn’t the most common in Indian cricket.”

With this victory, Royal Challengers Bangalore opened its account on the points table. Currently, the side is in the fourth position and faces Gujarat Giants on March 18.

Can WPL be a game-changer for women's cricket?

Can WPL be a game-changer for women’s cricket?

The current generation of women cricketers has been presented with amazing opportunities. The introduction of the Women’s Premier League has allowed them to show their talents and gain recognition in an arena that provides more lucrative opportunities. The women’s Premier League is a dream come true for many cricketers. With the support of franchise owners and sponsors, it is now up to the players to use their skills and expertise to take the league to a whole new level of entertainment that everyone can enjoy. 

Over the past decade, women’s cricket in India has seen an increase in media coverage, especially on social media platforms. This surge of support has led to the demand for a T20 league similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is dedicated to female cricketers. The idea behind the Women’s Premier League is straightforward – to give female cricketers the recognition and fame that the male players have been enjoying for so long. With the highly anticipated start of the WPL in Mumbai this Saturday, we can be hopeful that this will be a successful step toward giving women in cricket the spotlight they deserve. 

Can WPL do for women’s cricket what IPL did for men’s cricket? 

The introduction of the Women’s Premier League is a significant step in giving female cricketers the recognition they deserve. It will bring them into the wider cricket conversation, encouraging the use of gender-neutral terms like “batter” and allowing them to be seen in the same light as their male counterparts. 

A glitzy opening ceremony marked the start of the inaugural WPL

Source: Cricbuzz

The advantages of having a top-level T20 league, such as the IPL or the Women’s Big Bash League, have been evident. Harmanpreet Kaur’s legendary 171 not out against Australia in the 2017 ODI World Cup final created a powerful ripple effect that changed the sport in India. This remarkable feat was spurred by her successful first season in the WBBL, demonstrating just how influential a good league can be. 

The Indian cricket fan is known for its unique characteristics, which can be successfully tapped into by a franchise-owned daily league. This will be much more effective and emotionally engaging than the four-match Women’s T20 Challenge that BCCI had in place previously. Apart from the huge amount of money, media attention, team ownership, and sponsorship, the major objective of the WPL is to mainstream women’s cricket in the sporting conversation. 

Beyond the headlines, the Women’s Premier League has the potential to capture the hearts of India’s cricket-obsessed fans. These are the people who spend time analyzing and discussing last night’s match, making memes about it, and critiquing their play. Cricket is indeed more than just a sport in India, and it’s time for the WPL to capitalize on that for the betterment of Women’s cricket. 

The Women’s Premier League will not only give women’s cricket a platform for the future but will also continue to elevate its current profile in the sport. Beyond the well-known names like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and Harmanpreet Kaur, how many other Indian female cricketers are truly recognized in India? How many Indian fans know about them? 

Did you know that explosive opening batter Shafali Verma disguised herself as a boy to join the district team? Or that fast bowler Shikha Pandey was also part of the Indian Air Force as a squadron leader? Incredible stories like these are what will make the Women’s Premier League even more captivating. 

Both Shafali Verma and Shikha Pandey are international stars with plenty of World Cup experience. You can even search for their viral moments on the field, such as the “Ball of the Century.” These stories will surely add to the excitement of the Women’s Premier League.

While the average cricket-watching and news-reading fans may be familiar with these players, the Women’s Premier League will elevate them to a whole new level of recognition. If the WPL can capture even a fraction of the market share that the IPL enjoys, it will go a long way toward making women’s cricket more popular and accepted. 

Besides the internationals, the Women’s Premier League also highlights some of the most inspiring stories from other female cricketers. For example, Sonam Yadav and Shabnam Shakil are both 15-year-old cricketers who have already won a World Cup. Additionally, Jasia Akhtar is a 34-year-old domestic player from Kashmir who plays for Rajasthan. These stories and more will be featured during the Women’s Premier League. Sneha Deepthi is a mother to a toddler who still actively plays cricket – a rare feat in India. 

The Women’s Premier League is an unprecedented opportunity for female cricketers in India. With the support of franchise owners, sponsors, and the media, these players now have the platform to showcase their talents and reach a wider audience. This is a milestone moment for the sport, and it will be exciting to see this league’s impact on the game. 

The Women’s Premier League will be a momentous occasion for female cricketers in India. Through this league, they can now reach a wider audience, demonstrate their skills and talent, and prove that women’s cricket is an integral part of the sport. With daily prime-time matches, regular coverage, viral videos, and content generation on social media, this league has the potential to impact the cricket scene. 

The stage is set, and the spotlight is here – the Women’s Premier League is about to take on the world. Smriti Mandhana believes.

Page 2: WPL 2023: Five players who might earn more than INR 5 crore

Creator: Pat Elmont – ECB | Credit: ECB via Getty Images Copyright: 2021 ECB

Indian superstar Smriti Mandhana is sure that WPL is going to change the fortune of Women’s cricket. This is what she has to say about the Indian tournament in her recent interview. 

“I feel women’s cricket is on the verge of going to the next level. I wouldn’t compare it with men’s cricket or that sort, but to be involved from the time it (sport) is growing — I feel that is the USP of women’s cricket because everyone can say we were part of the journey that got women’s cricket higher. I would say the 1983 World Cup victory changed men’s cricket. Whoever was cheering for them will be thinking, ‘‘we supported men’s cricket to grow, to reach this level’. Women’s cricket is at the stage where people can connect more with us because we are still growing; we want to grow to a level where everyone knows us. And whoever supports women’s cricket will get involved in this journey,” 

“It is still very raw (women’s game). There is more swing, I would say, and there’s more timing involved than power. As women cricketers, we always wished this happened to us,” she said with a chuckle. “(But) I wouldn’t say I am in the spotlight… I just feel normal, chilling, enjoying playing cricket.” 

harmanpreet kaur

Harmanpreet’s MI records 4th straight win in the WPL

Harmanpreet’s Kaur-led Mumbai Indians has comfortably beaten UP Warriorz by eight wickets in their group-stage match yesterday. The Women in Blue and Gold chased down UP Warriorz’s target of 160 runs inside 18 overs to record their fourth straight win in the Women’s Premier League.

Batting first, the UP Warriorz posted a competitive score of 159 for the loss of 8 wickets on the back of skipper Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath’s half-centuries. For Mumbai Indians, Saika Ishaque was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 33 runs in her full quota of 4 overs.

Coming to the chase, the Mumbai Indians had a strong start posting 58 runs in the first seven overs. However, they seemed to lose the plot a bit in the middle overs as the table toppers lost two wickets in successive overs. But the calm and composed gameplay of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt helped the Women in Blue and Gold effortlessly chase down the target. Harmanpreet scored an excellent half-century off 33 balls, while Sciver-Brunt played her part with fantastic 45-run innings off 31 balls.

With this win, the Mumbai Indians have earned a victory against all the other four teams in the Women’s Premier League. They are well-settled and look like a strong contender to lift the WPL trophy.

Top 5 overseas players who will excel at WPL

5 overseas players who will do great at the WPL

The Women’s Premier League’s inaugural season has begun on Saturday, March 4. Last month in Mumbai, the first-ever WPL Auction occurred, and Smriti Mandhana was the most expensive player, signing with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for ₹3.4 crores. Additionally, Ashleigh Gardner was chosen by Gujarat Giants (GG) for ₹3.2 crores. 

Many of the players participating in the tournament recently took part in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, where Australia won their sixth title as they defeated hosts South Africa. England’s Natalie Sciver will be representing Mumbai Indians in WPL, who purchased her for ₹3.2 crores in a bidding war. Jemimah Rodrigues, who had a brilliant T20 World Cup, was acquired by Delhi Capitals (DC) for ₹2.2 crores. 

The league stage of the Women’s Premier League will see all five franchises—MI, RCB, DC, GG, and UP Warriorz—play four home and four away matches. At the end of this phase, the top three teams will move on to the next round, with the first-placed team securing a direct spot in the final. Meanwhile, the third and fourth-placed sides will have to play an Eliminator match to determine who will qualify for the final. 

5 overseas players who will do great at the WPL 

Meg Lanning (Delhi Capitals) 

'We'll be ready to go' – Lanning on 2021 World Cup preparations

Creator: Matthew Lewis | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2019 Getty Images

Meg Lanning is currently the leader of the Australian T20 team and has led them to their sixth title. She is ranked fourth on the ICC T20I Batting Rankings and generally bats at No. 3, providing stability and aggression at the crease. With her ability to bat anywhere, she will be a key asset for the Delhi Capitals. Her experience as a five-time World Cup-winning captain should be invaluable during the Women’s Premier League

Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants) 

Ashleigh Gardner's T20 World Cup-inspired piece of art

Creator: Cameron Spencer | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2020 Getty Images

Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner is currently the No. 1 T20I all-rounder in the world and was one of the joint most expensive overseas players at the WPL auction. She recently earned the title of “Player of the Tournament” at the Women’s T20 World Cup, scoring 110 runs and taking ten wickets during the tournament. Her prowess as an aggressive middle-order batter and off-break bowler makes her a formidable force for the Gujarat Giants.

Ellyse Perry (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Ellyse Perry named ICC Female Cricketer of the Decade | Sydney Sixers - BBL

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Ellyse Perry is currently ranked No. 9 on the T20 all-Rounder Rankings and has been an essential part of the Australian team. She has scored 1535 T20I runs at a solid average and has taken 122 wickets. Her experience, wicket-taking ability, and formidable batting skills will be a major asset to the Royal Challengers Bangalore lineup. 

Natalie Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians) 

Sciver-Brunt lands biggest payday in English women's cricket

Creator: Ryan Hiscott | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2022 Getty Images

Natalie Sciver-Brunt is an important addition to the top order of Mumbai Indians. She is currently ranked No. 10 as a T20 batter and No. 5 as a T20 all-rounder, making her the most expensive purchase for MI in the auction. With her exceptional batting skills and medium-pace bowling, she will be a formidable asset to the team.

Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz) 

Top-ranked Ecclestone to don magenta in WBBL debut. | cricket.com.au

Creator: James Chance Copyright: 2021 Getty Images

Sophie Ecclestone is currently the No. 1 T20 bowler in the world and is renowned for her precise and economical slow left-arm spin. She was the highest wicket-taker at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, taking 11 wickets. As the most expensive overseas buy for the UP Warriorz, she will be a valuable addition to the team—not only for her bowling but also for her long-hitting abilities. 

Sophia Dunkley smashes the fastest fifty of WPL

Sophia Dunkley smashes the fastest fifty of WPL

Gujarat Giants’ Sophia Dunkley has smashed the fastest fifty in the Women’s Premier League. The right-handed batter fired an 18-ball fifty against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The England batter went hammer and tongs against RCB’s Preeti Bose as she slammed her for 4,6,4,4,4 on successive balls to bring her a stunning half-century in the fifth over.

Sophia Dunkley’s blitzkrieg helped Gujarat Giants post a massive 201/7 in their full quota of 20 overs. Royal Challengers Bangalore, in reply, could manage only 190/6 in their 20 overs. Thereby helping Gujarat Giants win their first match of WPL and winning an important two points for the team.

Dunkley’s fifty is the joint-fourth fastest in all recorded women’s T20 competitions in the world. The right-handed batter eventually fell on 65 off just 28 deliveries.

Before Dunkley, the record for the fastest fifty in WPL was with Mumbai Indians’ skipper Harmanpreet Kaur when she notched up a 22-ball half-century in the tournament opener against Gujarat Giants.

Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur

WPL Schedule 2023: Match Timings, Teams List, Live Telecast, Schedule, Match Venue, and Live Telecast in India

The much-anticipated Women’s Premier League is about to kick off on March 4th. The entire Indian cricket fraternity is hyped for the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League.  Rachael Haynes, head coach of Gujarat Giants, feels women’s cricket will benefit a lot due to the WPL. She says, “There are lots of different elements that hopefully can come together through the WPL, and hopefully, Indian cricket can be richer for it.”

ICC General Manager Cricket, Wasim Khan, seconded Haynes’ opinion. In a press conference, he said, “India continues to lead the way with regard to women’s cricket. The values brought in for the WPL teams reiterate the potential of women’s cricket.”

The first-ever WPL will run from March 4th to 26th and will be conducted entirely in Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium and Brabourne Stadium. The WPL is a landmark event for women’s cricket, and five high-profile teams will be a part of it; Adani Group-owned Gujarat Giants, Reliance Industries-owned Mumbai Indians, Diageo-owned Royal Challengers Bangalore, JSW-GMR-owned Delhi Capitals, and Capri-Global owned UP Warriorz.

These five teams will play a total of 22 matches during the 23-day tournament. The first match will be between Beth Mooney-led Gujarat Giants and Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai Indians on 4th March at 7:30 PM in Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium.

Check out the entire schedule of the first Women’s Premier League.

Timetable of Women's Premier League

When is the Women’s Premier League starting?

The 2023 Women’s Premier League starts on March 4th and will end on March 26th. All the matches will be played at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium and Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium.

How many teams will be in the Women’s Premier League?

The first edition of the WPL will stage a total of 20 league matches between 5 franchises (Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz). A total of two play-off matches will also take place and will be played over 23 days.

Where can you watch the Women’s Premier League live?

The TATA Women’s Premier League will be live-streamed on Jio Cinema. For television users in India, the women’s league will be telecasted on the Sports18 channel. For users who reside outside India, they can watch the league on the following channels:

Location Broadcaster
United Kingdom Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event
United States Willow TV
Australia Fox Sports, Yupp TV
Middle East Willow TV
South Africa SuperSport
New Zealand Sky Sport NZ (Sky Sport 2)
Caribbean Flow Sports (Flow Sports 2)
Canada Willow TV
Bangladesh Channel 9
Afghanistan Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA)
Nepal Yupp TV, Net TV Nepal, SimTV Nepal
Sri Lanka Yupp TV, SLRC, Dialog TV, PeoTV
Singapore StarHub TV+
Maldives Yupp TV, Medianet

There’s no doubt that the WPL will make India a superpower in women’s cricket. But will it act as a catalyst to improve the level of cricket the Women in Blue play?

Beth Mooney to lead Gujarat Giants in WPL

Australia’s batter Beth Mooney has been appointed the captain of the Gujarat Giants team for the inaugural Women’s Premier League. Team India’s right-arm orthodox spinner Sneh Rana has been chosen as Mooney’s deputy.

Speaking about the appointment, Mooney said, “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the Adani Gujarat Giants in the historic Women’s Premier League’s inaugural edition in 2023.” She further added, “The squad is keen to get the ball rolling soon and put out an entertaining and effective brand of cricket in the debut season of the WPL. It will be fantastic to have the likes of Sneh as my deputy and Mithali Raj, Rachael Haynes and Nooshin Al Khadeer as pivotal parts of the team.”

This will be Mooney’s first experience at leading a side in an overseas T20 league. However, her record as a batter in the format is exceptional. She has hit 18 half-centuries in the 83 T20 games she has played, scoring 2,350 runs.

India’s Sneh Rana who is appointed as the vice captain of Gujarat Giants. Rana, who is a master of the T20 format has bagged 24 wickets from 25 games with an economy rate of 6.21. “Being the vice-captain of the Gujarat Giants is a huge responsibility and I am keenly looking forward to putting up a great show for the debut edition of the Women’s Premier League,” said Rana.

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