On Friday, As the Women’s Premier League gets underway in Bengaluru, there is a lot of talk about how the second season will fare after the success of the inaugural edition. Here’s a quick guide to the five teams that will be ready for the 2024 WPL.
Delhi Capitals
Meg Lanning looks determined as ever, a big off-season win, her recent international retirement and her comeback are in store for DC, and most importantly perhaps for Shafali Verma. Indian openers would like to touch the heights of 2023 in Lanning’s company. Marijne Kapp is coming into the tournament in great form. Annabel Sutherland is an interesting big-money addition that strengthens an already excellent fast bowling unit. Where DC had problems last time, the batting depth and spin is where it is, and players like Radha Yadav, and Minnu Mani will have hope that they can move forward. Be careful with DC, because Lanning doesn’t like losing tournaments.
Mumbai Indians
The first edition of champions, MI is also the team to beat in the second, full of all-round players (so much so that 13 out of 18 players are listed on the official team page). The strength of their team is boosted by the addition of Shabnim Ismail, and Player of the Tournament contender Nat Sciver-Brunt. There is a target behind them so it will be difficult to defeat Harmanpreet KauWPL squad SWOT: Which team has zero Aussies? Can Chamari Athapaththu be UP’s superwoman? Can Smriti Mandhana win the title? r’s team. The captain’s form will also be under question. An exciting addition is some new home spinners. Oh, and MI is without Australia’s only team presence in WPL 2024.
Gujarat Giants
Gujarat Giants is the franchise that has made the most surprising changes after WPL 2023. While RCB remained weak despite being a quality team, the first season was largely disappointing. Beth Mooney has returned to lead the team, while Michael Klinger is the new coach (she missed her first game of the season due to injury). Batswoman Phoebe Litchfield is the most exciting addition to Australia’s fortunes, having had a wonderful tour of India recently. But talent remains a concern for the homegrown side after outspending big Indian names in the first auction. Vice-captain Sneh Rana hopes that she will be able to register her name back in India.
UP Warriorz
In the words of Alyssa Healy, who was disappointed after the defeat in the WPL 2023 Eliminator after failing to reach the finals, the team tried to provide a platform to young domestic talent throughout the season. People like Shweta Sehrawat, Parshavi Chopra and S Yashasri will try to repay Vishwas in the second season. However, the onus will be on the international star, the sole Indian. Even with the ball last year, Deepti Sharma struggled with the bat as there were hit-and-misses, and UPW (India too)
There will be hope. Healy and Co. are still, though predominantly, a largely foreign contingent dependent on their star, with an interesting addition of late being Chamari Athapaththu.
Royal challengers Bangalore
Smriti Mandhana & Co. should be considered contenders on paper. RCB did not live up to its team’s promise last season, but they have done well to resolve some issues. The areas of concern were spin bowling and Georgia Wareham and the arrival of Ekta Bisht will help a lot. India has two of the most exciting batting stars, captain Smriti and Richa Ghosh, and RCB, in particular, will hope to perform well on their home turf. This year has been stormy for Shreyanka Patil and she has to move forward at a better level. What’s next, with a new coach in Luke Williams and exciting new additions?
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