Women's Premier League: Spotlight on Indian talent in 3rd season
What's the story
The third edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) is all set to begin, with an emphasis on developing India's budding cricketing talent.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on Gujarat Giants in the opening match in Vadodara.
Meanwhile, the league has played a key role in pushing domestic players such as Shreyanka Patil and Saika Ishaque, who made their India debuts after national call-ups.
Player prospects
Opportunity for domestic players to shine
The absence of international stars Alyssa Healy, Sophie Molineux, and Kate Cross (injuries) opens a unique opportunity for both seasoned and new domestic players.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur spoke about the potential of these players in the upcoming season.
"As India captain, I'm very excited for this season because a lot of domestic cricketers have prepared themselves for this tournament," Harmanpreet told PTI during the Star Sports Press Room - WPL Captain's Huddle.
Comeback trail
Shafali Verma and Kashvee Gautam: Players to watch
Shafali Verma, who has been doing well in the domestic circuit, will be playing for Delhi Capitals.
She hopes to make a comeback to the national team with an England tour and the ODI World Cup on the horizon.
Meanwhile, fast-bowling all-rounder Kashvee Gautam, another star performer in domestic cricket, will also have her skills tested in this tournament.
Venue expansion
WPL expands to new venues
Notably, the WPL has also expanded to two new venues, Vadodara and Lucknow.
This move is in line with the league's aim to have a full-fledged home-and-away format like the IPL.
The expansion is part of the Women's Premier League's growth strategy, taking women's cricket to Tier II cities for the first time since its inception in 2023.
Title defense
RCB's title defense faces challenges
Defending champions RCB have a tough task at hand to defend their title.
Key players from last season such as Sophie Devine, Molineux, and Cross are missing this edition.
Meanwhile, star all-rounder Ellyse Perry, spinner Shreyanka, and Asha Sobhana are also recovering from injuries.
Their ability to overcome these setbacks will be crucial in determining whether they can successfully defend their crown.
Final hurdle
Delhi Capitals aim to break final jinx
Two-time runners-up Delhi Capitals have been the most consistent team in the tournament and will be eager to break their jinx of losing in the final.
They have a strong batting lineup featuring the likes of Shafali Verma, Meg Lanning, Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland, and Marizanne Kapp.
Their bowling attack is equally formidable, with experienced players like Shikha Pandey, Arundhati Reddy, Titas Sadhu, Jess Jonassen, and Radha Yadav in their ranks.
Squads
A look at RCB and MI's squads for this season
RCB: Smriti Mandhana (C), Sabbineni Meghana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, Georgia Wareham, Shreyanka Patil, Renuka Singh, Ekta Bisht, Kanika Ahuja, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Heather Graham, Kim Garth, Charlie Dean, Nuzhat Parween, Prema Rawat, Joshitha VJ, Jagravi Pawar, Raghvi Bisht.
Mumbai Indians: Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Chloe Tryon, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Hayley Matthews, Jintimani Kalita, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Saika Ishaque, Yastika Bhatia, Shabnim Ismail, S Sajana, Amandeep Kaur, Keerthana Balakrishnan, G Kamalini, Nadine de Klerk, Sanskriti Gupta, Akshita Maheshwari, Parunika Sisodia.
Squads
Squads of Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz
Delhi Capitals: Alice Capsey, Arundhati Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Jess Jonassen, Marizanne Kapp, Meg Lanning (C), Minnu Mani, Radha Yadav, Shafali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Sneha Deepthi, Taniya Bhatia, Titas Sadhu, Annabel Sutherland, N Charani, Nandini Kashyap, Sarah Bryce, Niki Prasad.
UP Warriorz: Chinelle Henry, Anjali Sarvani, Deepti Sharma (C), Grace Harris, Kiran Navgire, Chamari Athapaththu, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia McGrath, Vrinda Dinesh, Poonam Khemnar, Saima Thakor, Gouher Sultana, Kranti Goud, Arushi Goel, Alana King.
Squad
Gujarat Giants' squad for the 2025 WPL
Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner (C), Beth Mooney, Dayalan Hemalatha, Harleen Deol, Laura Wolvaardt, Shabnam Shakil, Tanuja Kanwar, Phoebe Litchfield, Meghna Singh, Kashvee Gautam, Priya Mishra, Mannat Kashyap, Sayali Sathgare, Simran Shaikh, Deandra Dottin, Prakashika Naik, Danielle Gibson.