Women's Indian Premier League: Four Proteas stars set to light up for the big time in India

The Women's Indian Premier League (WPL), which starts on Saturday, is set to feature a star-studded Proteas line-up with four South Africans being snapped at the lucrative auction last month.

This year's WPL will feature 22 matches and the action scheduled to get under way on Saturday with the Gujarat Giants taking on Mumbai Indians.

The tournament comes almost a week after the Women's T20 World Cup, which saw Australia win their sixth title after defeating South Africa in Sunday's final at Newlands.

The five teams play each other twice in a round-robin group stage, with the top three progressing to the play-off stage.

READ | Wolvaardt, Ismail, Brits soar up ICC T20 rankings after historic World Cup

The team that finishes at the top of the log will automatically reach the final, while the second and third-placed teams will have to compete in an eliminator. The final is set for 26 March.

News24 Sport takes a closer look at the South African players involved in the 2023 Women's Premier League:

Shabnim Ismail

Fast bowler Ismail had a superb T20 World Cup, helping the Proteas defend 13 in the final over during their historic semi-final win against England at Newlands.

Ismail was one of three South Africans picked alongside Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt in the Women's T20 World Cup team of the tournament after taking eight wickets. Opener Wolvaardt was overlooked for the inaugural WPL.

Ismail also delivered the fastest ball (128km/h) ever bowled in women's cricket during the semi-final, delivering three maiden overs, with no other bowler producing more than one. 

The 34-year-old became the leading wicket-taker in the history of the Women's T20 World Cup, taking 43 wickets in 32 World Cup matches.

Ismail was snapped up by the UP