WPL 2023: A look at the Mumbai Indians squad
Mumbai Indians (MI) are one of the teams to watch out for in the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL), starting March 4. India's current all-format skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the team and would be determined to taste the glory. Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, and Hayley Matthews are the other notable names in the squad. Here we decode MI's squad.
A look at MI's complete squad
MI exhausted their entire purse (Rs. 12 crore) in the auction to get 17 players on board. They have the right blend of youth and experience. Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Yastika Bhatia, Heather Graham, Issy Wong, Amanjot Kaur, Dhara Gujjar, Saika Ishaque, Hayley Matthews, Chloe Tryon, Humairaa Kaazi, Priyanka Bala, Sonam Yadav, Jintimani Kalita, Neelam Bisht.
Here are the key signings
England all-rounder Sciver-Brunt bagged Rs. 3.2 crore in the auction. She was the joint-costliest overseas player at the bidding event alongside Ashleigh Gardner. While Harmanpreet bagged a deal worth Rs. 1.8 crore, Indian all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar was picked for Rs. 1.9 crore. New Zealand's Amelia Kerr received Rs. 1.00 crore. Besides, MI secured wicket-keeper batter Yastika Bhatia's services for Rs. 1.5 crore.
How Harmanpreet has fared as captain
Harmanpreet is the second-most capped skipper in WT20Is, having led her side in 96 games. She owns the third-most wins (54) as a skipper in the format. Under her leadership, India reached the final of the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup and semi-final of the 2023 edition. Besides, Harmanpreet led Supernovas to three titles in the Women's T20 Challenge (2018, 2019, and 2022).
Here are the key batters
Kaur is the fourth-highest run-getter in WT20Is, having slammed 3,058 runs in 151 games at 28.05. Hayley Matthews has aggregated 1,581 runs in 82 appearances in the format at 20.26. South African star Chloe Tryon owns 1,036 runs in 88 WT20Is at 20.31. Sciver-Brunt has accumulated 2,175 in 108 WT20I appearances at an average of 26.85.
Here are the key bowlers
Sciver-Brunt also owns 79 wickets in the format with her economy rate being just 6.47. Matthews is also known for her brilliance with the ball. She boasts 78 WT20Is wickets (ER: 5.8). New Zealand's leg-spinning sensation Amelia Kerr owns 58 wickets in 59 WT20I appearances (ER: 5.81). Pooja Vastrakar owns 30 wickets in 47 WT20Is (ER: 6.14).
WPL 2023: A look at the key details
The high-voltage WPL will see a total of 20 league matches being played across 23 days. MI will kick-start their campaign against Gujarat Giants in the season opener. There will be two playoff matches - the Eliminator (on March 24) and the final (on March 26). Two venues in Mumbai (DY Patil Stadium and Cricket Club of India) will host 12 matches each.
