All is set for a breathtaking spectacle of world-class cricket as the Women’s Premier League (WPL) kicks off. From March 4 to 26, 2023, we’ll get to see some of the best women cricketer squads slug it out to become champions.
Five teams will grace the inaugural edition – UP Warriorz, Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Giants, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. These teams splashed the cash on new talent and have some of the best Indian and foreign cricketers.
Let’s check out the top ten (10) women cricketers ready to feature in one of the world’s most-anticipated Women’s Premier League tournaments.
1. Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet is India’s current starting batter and a skilled spinner. She has a consistent record of turning tight games around within overs with her precise hitting skills and bowling technique.
At 33, Harmanpreet has ample experience with features in over 270 games and counting. She also has over 6000 runs across multiple formats and over 30 ODIs.
2. Richa Ghosh
19-year-old Richa Ghosh made her international cricket debut in 2020; but is one of India’s hottest prospects in the WPL. With features in 17 ODIs and over 25 T20Is, she’s already one of the international women cricketer’s best players.
Ghosh’s ability to score runs quickly and catch opposing players off guard makes her one of WPL’s most expensive players. She also has 730+ runs to her name with an impressive 134.2 strike rate. The young wicketkeeper-batter is a name to watch when the WPL finally kicks off.
3. Shafali Verma
Shafali Verma plays a daring brand of cricket unseen in many women’s games for years. She’s currently one of the most-rated players in WPL 2023 with her versatile skills and mastery of ball handling.
Currently, she shows leadership on the pitch as a fielder or plays as a sixth bowler in some national cricket games. She’s a member of India’s under-19 T20 World Cup winning squad, making her one of the country’s decorated players in the WPL.
Besides operating as a substitute bowler, Shafali Verma is a favored starting batter with an impressive strike rate. She made her national cricket debut at 15 and has 21 ODIs under her belt already, scoring 530+ runs with an over 83 strike rate.
4. Tahila McGrath
Very few female all-rounders possess equal destructive ability with a bat and ball; and Tahila McGrath is in this elite class. The Aussie all-rounder has a breathtaking record across all formats. She has over 540 scoring runs at 20 T20Is with a striking rate of over 140, with 14 wickets in those games.
5. Smriti Mandhana
At 3.4 crore, Smriti Mandhana is the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s most expensive Women’s Premier League signing. A member of India’s women cricketer team, Smriti has been a major player in the country’s multiple formats.
She’s a 2-time ICC Player of the Year and has a current T20 career best of 87 (Ireland). Smriti is also an ICC T20 World Cup semifinalist and has a Commonwealth Games personal best record of 159 runs.
She has one of India’s women best strike rates and currently holds the record for most half-century scores in the female T20Is.
6. Sophie Ecclestone
The UP Warriorz has one of England’s top bowlers in Sophie Ecclestone. She’s a professional orthodox spin bowler with several impressive records across ODIs and T20Is. She also has experience as a full-on fast bowler and can provide support as a substitute batter. Sophie is one of the UP Warriorz’ most expensive players and should feature in their opening game.
7. Marizanne Kapp
Fast-bowler Marizanne Kapp features in the WPL 2023 as an experienced big-game player and decorated international. She provides a depth of swing and pace with all pitches and also operates as a lower-order batter with impressive hitting skills.
8. Deandra Dottin
Deandra Dottin will feature for the Gujarat Giants at WPL 2023 and brings her wealth of experience to Indian league cricket. She features in this team with her wealth of international experience, 6000+ runs, and 134 wickets in over 250 matches.
9. Natalie Sciver
Sciver’s stroke play is something to watch out for in the WPL 2023. The English player possesses significant bowling, fielding, and batting potential making her one of WPL’s players to watch.
10. Deepti Sharma
Few all-rounders can boast of Deepti Sharma’s numbers in international cricket. Over 150 internationals, Sharma has over 2000 runs, 90+ wickets, and other impressive stats. She also boasts one of the most versatile captaincy skills with her leadership on the pitch across games.
