Table of Contents
The anticipation for the second season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is reaching its peak as defending champions Mumbai Indians gear up to face off against runners-up Delhi Capitals in the opening match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Tournament overview
The WPL 2024 promises to be a thrilling affair with five teams competing in a total of 22 matches, evenly split between Bengaluru and Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Bengaluru will host the initial leg until March 4, followed by Delhi taking over from March 5. The knockout stage will see the Eliminator and the Final held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on March 15 and 17, respectively.
Captains’ picks
In a recent pre-season event, the captains of each team shared their insights and singled out three players from their squads to watch out for during the tournament.
UP Warriorz – Alyssa Healy’s choices
UP Warriorz skipper Alyssa Healy has earmarked Poonam Khemnar, Shweta Sehrawat, and Kiran Navgire as the ones to watch. With their diverse skill sets, these players are expected to make significant contributions to the team’s success.
“I think 3 players to watch out for UP Warriorz would’ve to be Poonam Khemnar, Shweta Sehrawat and I think Kiran (Kiran Navgire) is gonna have a big year,” said Healy in a video shared by Wplt20.com.
- Poonam Khemnar: Known for her bowling prowess, Khemnar’s ability to pick up crucial wickets could prove vital for UP Warriorz.
- Shweta Sehrawat: A promising all-rounder, Sehrawat’s consistency with both bat and ball makes her a key asset for the team.
- Kiran Navgire: Navgire’s potential to shine in pressure situations could make her a standout performer for UP Warriorz this season.
Delhi Capitals – Meg Lanning’s selections
Delhi Capitals’ captain Meg Lanning has identified Minnu Mani, Arundhati Reddy, and Titas Sadhu as the players to keep an eye on. These players are expected to play pivotal roles in Delhi Capitals’ quest for the title.
- Minnu Mani: Mani’s explosive batting style and ability to anchor an innings make her a formidable force at the crease.
- Arundhati Reddy: With her fiery pace and ability to swing the ball, Reddy poses a threat to opposition batters and can provide crucial breakthroughs.
- Titas Sadhu: Sadhu’s spin bowling variations make her a valuable asset in Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack, especially on turning tracks.
Also READ: WPL 2024 – Best playing XI of Delhi Capitals
Royal Challengers Bangalore – Smriti Mandhana’s picks
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s captain Smriti Mandhana has pinned her hopes on Shreyanka Patil, Richa Ghosh, and Sophie Molineux to shine in the upcoming season.
“I think Shreyanka has had an amazing international debut. Of course, there is Richa and I think Sophie Molineux would come good with the ball,” said Smriti.
- Shreyanka Patil: Patil’s recent stellar performances at the international level have put her in the spotlight, and she is expected to carry that form into the WPL.
- Richa Ghosh: Ghosh’s aggressive batting style and ability to score quick runs make her a key player in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s lineup.
- Sophie Molineux: Molineux’s left-arm spin bowling and handy contributions with the bat add depth to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s squad.
Mumbai Indians – Harmanpreet Kaur’s choices
Mumbai Indians’ skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has chosen Amandeep Kaur, Keethana Balakrishnan, and S Sajana as the ones to watch out for.
“First one is left-arm wrist spinner Amandeep, she is looking really exciting to me and then KB (Keethana Balakrishnan) she is a leg spinner again. And then SS (S Sajana), she’s someone who can contribute with both bat and ball,” said Harmanpreet.
Also READ: WPL 2024 – Best playing XI of Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Amandeep Kaur: Kaur’s left-arm wrist spin adds a unique dimension to Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack, and her ability to deceive batters could be crucial.
- Keethana Balakrishnan: Balakrishnan’s leg-spin bowling provides Mumbai Indians with another potent weapon, capable of picking up wickets at crucial junctures.
- S Sajana: Sajana’s dual ability with bat and ball makes her a valuable asset for Mumbai Indians, offering flexibility in team composition.
Gujarat Giants – Beth Mooney’s picks
Gujarat Giants’ skipper Beth Mooney has opted for Phoebe Litchfield, Tanuja Kanwar, and Harleen Deol as players to watch out for.
- Phoebe Litchfield: Litchfield’s aggressive batting style and ability to accelerate the run rate make her a key player in Gujarat Giants’ batting lineup.
- Tanuja Kanwar: Kanwar’s pace and ability to extract bounce from the pitch make her a potent threat in Gujarat Giants’ bowling attack.
- Harleen Deol: Deol’s dynamic batting and athleticism in the field make her a valuable asset for Gujarat Giants, capable of turning the game in their favor.
