'Game-changer' WPL gets underway amid fanfare and expectations

04.03.2023 - 10:41 channelnewsasia.com

MUMBAI : The inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) begins on Saturday with a match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants in a potentially watershed moment for women's cricket.The clamour for a full-fledged women's league had been growing even though Women's T20 Challenge ran as a three-team sideshow to the men's Indian Premier League between 2018-22.The sale of WPL's five franchises and media rights alone fetched nearly $690 million and the Indian cricket board has lined up an impressive array of sponsors for the 22-match tournament.Several female cricketers experienced the biggest payday of their career in last month's players auction where teams had $1.45 million each to spend on acquiring players.India and Mumbai captain Harmanpreet Kaur has predicted the league to be a 'game-changer' for women's cricket.

Her India deputy, Smriti Mandhana, leads Royal Challengers Bangalore.Reflecting Australia's dominance in women's cricket, captain Meg Lanning will lead Delhi Capitals, while her national team mates Beth Mooney (Gujarat) and Alyssa Healy (UP Warriorz) will also shoulder leadership roles.Like in the men's IPL, the WPL does not feature any Pakistani player given soured political relations between the cricket-mad neighbours.India batter Jemimah Rodrigues had no doubts WPL would help India bridge the gap with Australia."We have been pushing the doors for a very long time, we are getting there, we are getting very close," Rodrigues, Lanning's deputy at Delhi, told reporters."I am sure the WPL will change a lot for women's cricket."You will find many superstars coming out from it, many leaders, or many match-winners, I would say."Gujarat captain Mooney said she would try to instil fearlessness among her

cricket Beth Mooney Alyssa Healy Meg Lanning Harmanpreet Kaur Australia India Pakistan Delhi Bangalore

A breathtaking boundary-hitting show after a clinical bowling attack helped Delhi Capitals thrash Mumbai Indians by nine wickets to jump to the top of the table in the Women's Premier League on Monday. South African pacer Marizanne Kapp (2/13) struck twice in two balls early on to help Delhi restrict Mumbai, who were put in to bat, to a meagre 109 for 8. Shikha Pandey and Jess Jonassen also chipped in with two wickets for DC. Chasing a small total, the top three Delhi batters of captain Meg Lanning (32 not out off 22 balls), Shafali Verma (33 off 15 balls) and Alice Capsey (38 not out of 18 balls) competed among themselves in hitting boundaries as their side chased down the target with 66 balls remaining.

"I Will Take Blame": Smriti Mandhana's Massive Comment After RCB's Fourth Loss In WPL 2023

Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Smriti Mandhana said she is also to blame after a poor batting display saw the team suffer its fourth straight loss in the Women's Premier League here on Friday. Opting to bat, RCB were bowled out for 138 and then saw UP Warriorz complete a 10-wicket win with as many as 42 balls to spare at the Brabourne Stadium. The defeat has dented RCB's prospects of advancing further. "I think in the last four games, it has been happening. We start well and we lose a cluster of wickets. I will take the blame as well. As a top order batter, we need to put up runs on the board for the bowlers to defend," Mandhana said after the game.

RCB Fans Have Epic Meltdown As Team Suffers Back-To-Back Losses In WPL

It was yet another disappointing day for Royal Challengers Bangalore after they faced a 9-wicket defeat against Mumbai Indians in their previous Women's Premier League match on Monday. Opting to bat first, openers Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine provided a good start to RCB. However, MI bounced back in the fifth over and bundled out RCB for 155 with Hayley Matthews taking a three-wicket haul. Later, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side chased down the target in just 14.2 overs with Matthews playing a match-winning knock of 77 runs off 38 balls.

WPL 2023, UPW vs GG: Grace Harris Stars As UP Warriorz Beat Gujarat Giants By 3 Wickets In Last-Over Thriller

Half-centuries from Kiran Navgire and Grace Harris helped UP Warriorz clinch a hard fought last-over three-wicket win over Gujarat Giants in their Women's Premier League (WPL) campaign opener at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. In chase of 170 runs, UP Warriorz was off to a nightmarish start as Australia's all-rounder ran through the top order, dismissing skipper Alyssa Healy (7), Indian U19 sensation Shweta Sehrawat (5) and world's number one T20I batter Tahlia McGrath (0) cheaply. UP was reduced to 20/3 in three overs.

WPL 2023, GG vs MI: Harmanpreet Kaur-Led Mumbai Indians Outplay Gujarat Giants By 143 Runs In Opening Game

In a mismatch of epic proportions, Mumbai Indians crushed Gujarat Giants by 143 runs to stamp their authority with an all-round show as the Women's Premier League got underway in Navi Mumbai on Saturday. After posting a mammoth 207/5, powered by captain Harmanpreet Kaur's sensational 30-ball 65 laced with 14 boundaries, Mumbai Indians' bowlers led by Saika Ishaque (4/11) produced a superb show to restrict Gujarat Giants to just 64/9 in 15.1 overs and make a dream start to the competition. Gujarat Giants captain Beth Mooney suffered an injury in the first over and retired hurt after initial checkup on the field, and could not return to bat again. Mumbai Indians not only dominated Gujarat Giants right from the start but also showcased their aggressive style of play both with the bat and the ball in the first game itself, delighting a fairly-packed crowd.

Watch: Harmanpreet Kaur On Fire, Slams First Half-Century In WPL 2023

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur powered Mumbai Indians to an imposing 207/5 with a stunning half-century against Gujarat Giants as the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) got underway in front of a packed house on Saturday. The opener was preceded by a glittering opening ceremony at the DY Patil Stadium.