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- Published: March 4, 2023 15:55
New Delhi: The first match of the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League is around the corner and will begin at 7:30 pm on March 4. Gujarat Giants, led by Beth Mooney and Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur will clash against each other at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium. Both teams feature some hard-hitting batters and some real-quick pacers.
The opening ceremony will begin at 5:30 pm where the likes of Kriti Sanon, Kiara Advani and AP Dhillon will be entertaining the fans.
Giants have to rule out their star all-rounder Deandra Dottin before the tournament due to medical reasons. Australian all-rounder Kim Garth will be replacing her.
Here is the list of 5 players to watch out for:
1. Beth Mooney
Leader of the ????? ?
Skipper #BethMooney has touched down ahead of the #WPL.#WPL2023 #GujaratGiants #AdaniSportsline #Adani pic.twitter.com/cVpYf6jIX6
— Gujarat Giants (@GujaratGiants) March 2, 2023
Australian opener Beth Mooney was the Player of the Match in the finals of the recently concluded Women’s T20 World Cup. She seizes the opportunity in big games and today is definitely one of the big days in cricket. She is known for her high strike rates and for carrying the team on her shoulders. The batter scored three fifty-plus scores in the T20 World Cup and is in great form.
2. Nat Sciver-Brunt
81*(40) | SR: 202 ?
?? – Nat Sciver-Brunt, what an innings! ??#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #AaliRe #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/VZpEgH3O2f
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 21, 2023
Nat Sciver-Brunt is one of the best batters in the tournament and carrying forward the confidence from the T20 World Cup, she will be a player to watch out for. She scored 216 runs in the World Cup at an average of 72 and a strike rate of 141! She also has the ability to bowl a few overs and pick wickets. The English all-rounder will be MI’s trump card this season.
3. Ashleigh Gardner
She’s here and she’s perfect ?
Our #Giant all-rounder @akgardner97 is here ?#WPL #WPL2023 #GujaratGiants #AdaniSportsline #Adani pic.twitter.com/X0bY4jbMKJ
— Gujarat Giants (@GujaratGiants) March 2, 2023
The Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup is in the red-hot form! Ashleigh Gardner is on top of her game currently and picking wickets looks so easy for her. She has been one of the reasons that Australia was able to add yet another ICC trophy to its cabinet. She picked 10 wickets in six games and ended up as the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
4. Harleen Deol
Hurley, Harleen, and Furry! ?
Our #Giants met their cutest training buddy yet! ?#WPL #WPL2023 #GujaratGiants #AdaniSportsline #Adani pic.twitter.com/5PWTO5fwJd
— Gujarat Giants (@GujaratGiants) March 2, 2023
Harleen Deol is one of the players who will look to make a mark and emerge as the star of the tournament. She has been part of the Indian T20 squad for quite some time and has been in and out of the playing XI. Harleen is known for big hitting ability in the middle order and can be handy with the ball.
5. Harmanpreet Kaur
“Sab bolte the agar kisi franchise se khelna hai, Mumbai Indians se khelna chaiye”
Jo kehte hai, sach kehte hai ?@ImHarmanpreet | #OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #AaliRe #WPL https://t.co/gMTwDsYUed
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 3, 2023
Harmanpreet’s batting needs no introduction and the Indian captain, with her experience and ability to hit big sixes will definitely be a player to watch out for. Though she did not have a great T20 World Cup, she almost took India to the finals with her 52 off 34 in the semis. The fans sad after her runout will be rooting for her success in WPL.