The first edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL 2023) is set to start on the 4th of March on a Saturday and will feature a high-profile match with teams like the Gujarat Giants and the Mumbai Indians.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Delhi Capitals will headline a double-header on Sunday. Also, the UP Warriorz will also get their first taste WPL game on the exact same day at the Giants.
It is yet to be determined what the teams which are quite even in their match, perform for the forthcoming campaign. Based on their rosters during their WPL 2023 auction there are some conclusions that can be drawn.
We will attempt to identify the best contenders to win the title ahead of the WPL 2023 season.
#5 Gujarat Giants
The Gujarat Giants (GG) recently made a splash by selecting the unassuming Beth Mooney as their captain for the auction of the WPL 2023. Even prior to the uncertain decision their prospects didn’t appear very promising.
The Giants created a somewhat bizarre roster during the auction, spending a lot on foreign players, but focusing on players from India who were part of Railways Women. The result was that they had very few international stars to represent Team India, with both their bowling and batting units appearing thin.
The Giants remain in with the chance of making it all the way, in large part because of top players such as Ashleigh Gardner as well as Sneh Rana among their ranks. However, they appear as weakest on paper.
#4 Mumbai Indians
The Mumbai Indians (MI) aren’t necessarily a team with a slender appearance. They boast four top international all-rounders, Nat Sciver-Brunt Hayley Matthews Amelia Kerr and Chloe Tryon. The Indian duo comprised of Harmanpreet Kaur and Pooja Vastrakar are part of the team too.
On the other hand, in general, MI might not have an opponent that can make the final clash.
A large part of it was due to their high-priced purchase of Yastika Bhatia, which left the club with no funds to improve their bowling department. This means that they could not get much reach despite the abundance of different options available to them.
Although, MI have most bases covered in the top seven positions of their playing squad. If the stars align, MI’s supremacy against Indian franchise leagues may extend into women’s soccer too.
#3 Royal Challengers Bangalore
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) declared their plans in the beginning of WPL 2023 auction. This made Smriti Mandhana as the player with the biggest price tag. They followed this by signing the star-studded names of Richa Ghosh Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh along with Dane van Niekerk.
In the end, RCB have a capable team. They have two solid quick bowlers, Megan Schutt and Renuka Singh and their batting power. Although their domestic part of their bowling attack could be untried the scouts of their team did their work prior to the auction.
There isn’t much to be stated about the team’s bat power. Bangalore could easily challenge for an WPL 2023 title if they have their strategy right But so could the two teams that are coming up.
#2 UP Warriorz
If they decide to give Alyssa Healy the reigns in place of Deepti Sharma The UP Warriorz (UPW) have enjoyed a great start to their journey as part of the WPL.
The Warriorz are a formidable batsman team that includes Tahlia McGrath Kiran Navgire and Grace Harris in addition to the uncapped superstar Shweta Sehrawat. They also have a formidable spin trio comprising Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti along with their speed duo Shabnim Ismail, and anjali Sarvani.
UPW also addressed the aspect of wrist spin through signing Devika Vaidya to their playing XI an enviable appearance. If Healy gets over her recent slump to take runs from the top, and leads with skill to the top, the Warriorz are likely to win silverware.
#1 Delhi Capitals
The Delhi Capitals (DC) are the only team to reveal their new captain for coming season. The logic dictates that the infamous World Cup winner Meg Lanning will be given the job however reports from some sources have suggested otherwise.
But they do, the Capitals are arguably the most talented lineup of the five franchises. Their Indian team is extremely solid with Shafali Verma Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav and Shikha Pandey among the group. The players from overseas are top-quality as well, including Alice Capsey, Laura Harris Marizanne Kapp, Laura Harris and Lanning.
DC are also able to field an overseas player as the club has an Associate Cricketer named Tara Norris. The sole finger that can be directed at the team they play in is the lack of a high-quality wrist spinner however, Poonam Yadav could be able to complete the job in case they need to.
Read More:
- Selecting the combination RCB as well as DC in the game 11 to play for WPL 2023.
- “Sign of a big team is when players are ready to grab the opportunity”– Chetan Sakariya about Delhi capitals dealing to Rishabh Pant’s absence
- 3 reasons why India hasn’t named a vice-captain for the last 2 Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy