In this article, we present to you our pick of the top 5 international players who we believe can make a difference for their respective teams in the 2025 season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has rapidly gained recognition since its inception in 2023, drawing international talent to the league. World-class players such as Meg Lanning, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Elise Perry, and Sophie Ecclestone have graced the league, making a significant impact alongside their Indian counterparts. Their presence has not only elevated the level of competition but also led some of them to steer their respective franchises to the finals, with a few even clinching the coveted WPL trophy.
Let’s take a look at the five international players that could make a difference this season –
Deandra Dottin | Gujarat Giants
The legendary West Indian allrounder and former WI captain Deandra Dottin needs no introduction. The 33-year-old Dottin is a powerful hitter who is also an agile fielder and an effective bowling option. She helped West Indies to a semi-final in the recently concluded Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Dottin’s T20 World Cup stats were exceptional as she scored 120 runs in 6 matches with an average of 40.33 and a strike rate of 162.16. Dottin also ended the World Cup with five wickets from two innings at 7.60. Her economy rate was 5.40.
Dottin also plays in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) for the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), having recently won the trophy with the Melbourne Renegades.
Although Dottin had been part of the Gujarat Giants franchise in the inaugural WPL Campaign, she was released by the franchise before the start of the tournament. Looking for a power hitter, Gujarat Giants went back for the West Indian legend and secured her services for a whopping INR 1.70 Crore.
Dottin could prove to be an astute signing for the Giants as they need a powerful hitter in their middle or lower order who can come in and impact games.
Sarah Bryce | Delhi Capitals
Sarah Bryce is a Scottish allrounder who plays for the Scotland national team as a wicketkeeper-batter.
Sarah Bryce joined the Scotland NT at the age of 18 and almost seven years later, she is one of their mainstays of the team and an accomplished wicket keeper. Bryce has scored 1290 runs in 58 games for Scotland with an average of 28.7 and a strike rate of 106.5. Bryce has also taken 29 catches and affected 4 runouts and 33 stumpings in T20’s for her country.
Bryce also plays franchise T20 Cricket with the Sydney Sixers in the Women’s BBL and with Welsh Fire in the Hundreds competition.
Bryce has been added by the Delhi Capitals in their squad for her base price of INR 10 Lakhs which could prove to be a bargain as she has the capability to score crucial runs. The Delhi Capitals were also in need of a good wicketkeeper and hence this could be a vital signing for them.
Also Read: WPL 2025: 5 Domestic players to watch out for
Phoebe Litchfield | Gujarat Giants
Replacing the legendary Meg Lanning in the Australian National team is a tall task and one Phoebe Litchfield has achieved remarkably so far. The left-handed top order batter is a picture of consistency and even in her short career, she has proven to be an all-format player for the Aussies.
In 24 T20 international matches, she has scored 380 runs in 19 innings with an average of 34.5 and a strike rate of 143.4. She is also a right arm leg spin bowling option but she hasn’t been used by the Aussies so far. She is also an excellent fielder who can affect games with superb catches and runouts.
Litchfield plays domestic cricket with the New South Wales Breakers in the Women’s National Cricket League and is also the captain of the Sydney Thunder in the Women’s BBL.
Litchfield has been secured in the mini-auction for a massive INR 1 Crore. Touted as one of the future superstars of women’s cricket, it will be fascinating to see if Litchfield can perform in the Women’s Premier League for the Gujarat Giants and lead them to a WPL title.
Chloe Tryon | Mumbai Indians
Chloe Tryon is an allrounder from South Africa. The 31-year-old hailing from Durban in South Africa has represented the Proteas in all formats of the game. Tryon is a middle-order batter and a left arm spin bowler.
Tryon is one of the most prominent players for the South African team and has played in 110 matches, scoring 1254 runs in 89 innings with an average of 19.9 and a strike rate of 133.26. She has decent bowling figures as well, having taken 39 wickets in 76 innings with a best figure of 4/15 with an economy of 6.78.
Tryon currently plays for the Sydney Thunder in the Women’s BBL and the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Women’s CPL. She is a hard-hitting powerful striker of the ball who has loads of experience in T20 cricket.
Mumbai Indians have invested in the South African allrounder for the upcoming edition of the WPL, bagging her for INR 30 Lakhs and she could prove to be a difference maker with her experience and skill.
Alana King | UP Warriorz
Alana King is an Australian leg-break bowler who is making her debut in the Women’s Premier League this season. She is a bowling allrounder who can bat a bit and has represented Australia in all three formats. She was the second highest wicket-taker for Australia during the 2022 ODI World Cup as she picked up 12 wickets in the tournament at 24.50 in nine matches which also included a vital 3/64 figure against England in the final.
In 25 T20 matches so far, he has taken 24 wickets with an average of 19.3 and a best bowling figure of 4/8. She has also scored 28 runs in 5 innings with a best figure of 18 not out.
She also plays domestic cricket with Western Australia and represents the Perth Scorchers in the Women’s BBL. The leg spinner has the ability to bamboozle batters with her spin and guile.
The UP Warriorz have bolstered their ranks by adding King to their squad for INR 30 Lakhs. This could prove to be a bargain as King might find a lot of support from the Indian pitches and grab loads of wickets with her wily leg-spin.
Leave a Reply