Simran SinghaniaThe TATA Women’s Premier League’s (WPL) inaugural campaign, which began at the start of this month, is now in its final stretch. The Mumbai Indians and the UP Warriorz are set to face off against each other in the Eliminator on Friday, with the winner set for a clash against the Delhi Capitals in the Final on Sunday.
Over the course of the tournament, we have seen players both domestic and international shine and make a name for themselves. On that note, here are my top picks for the standout players of the 2023 WPL season:
Saika Ishaque | Mumbai Indians
Kolkata-hailing Saika Ishaque was picked up at a base price of ?10 lakh by the Mumbai Indians. The 27-year-old displayed her ability in the game against the Delhi Capitals by taking three wickets and winning the Player of the Match award.
The uncapped left-arm spinner has gone on to take 13 wickets so far, averaging 14.77. She is third in the highest wicket-takers list.
Hayley Matthews | Mumbai Indians
The 24-year-old Barbadian all-rounder has excelled with both bat and ball for the Mumbai Indians. Matthews has scored 232 runs at a strike rate of 131.07, while also bagging 12 wickets with a 6.52 economy rate, earning herself a spot in the top 10 rankings of both runs scored and wickets taken.
Meg Lanning | Delhi Capitals
Lanning came into the tournament having led Australia to a record-extending sixth victory at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, so she has surprised no one with her extraordinary efforts as the skipper of the Delhi Capitals this WPL season. She has scored 310 runs so far at an average of 51.67, making her the current Orange Cap holder.
Tahlia McGrath | UP Warriorz
The UP Warriorz would be thanking their stars for signing McGrath during the WPL auction. The Australian batter has played a pivotal role in her team’s run to the playoffs, scoring 295 runs in seven innings, behind only Lanning in the race for the Orange Cap. She is averaging 59 with a stellar strike rate of 159.46.
Shafali Verma | Delhi Capitals
Unsurprisingly, it hasn’t taken long for Shafali Verma to become a star player of the Delhi Capitals squad. She has scored 241 runs so far at a terrific and terrifying strike rate of 182.58. She and Lanning have consistently laid a strong foundation for the Delhi Capitals via their opening partnerships throughout the season.
Alyssa Healy | UP Warriorz
Alyssa Healy fell agonisingly short of becoming the first WPL centurion when she hammered an unbeaten 96 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Australian wicketkeeper-batter went all out in her rapid knock, smashing 18 fours and one six, as she helped her side chase a modest target of 139.
Healy has been one of the most remarkable players this season thanks to her exceptional wicketkeeping and captaincy skills. She has also scored a total of 242 runs with a strike rate of 139.88.
Sophie Devine | Royal Challengers Bangalore
Another one who fell agonisingly short of becoming the first WPL centurion, Devine, who hails from New Zealand, shone with the bat, scoring 266 runs at a strike rate of 172.73. She struck 13 sixes in total, which is the highest in the season so far. Most of these sixes came in her storming 99-run knock, which came against the Gujarat Giants as she helped the RCB to an easy victory.
Sophie Ecclestone | UP Warriorz
Ecclestone possesses a lethal combination of accuracy, spin and bounce. Playing for the UP Warriorz, she has so far taken 14 wickets with an economy rate of 6.22, making her the current holder of the Purple Cap. Ecclestone has benefitted from the spinning Indian pitches, with her bowling having played a key role in the Warriorz making the playoffs.
Ashleigh Gardner | Gujarat Giants
The 25-year-old Australian all-rounder played exceptionally well this season, despite her team not making the playoffs. With a bowling average of 25.5, Gardner took 10 wickets in eight games. She also scored 204 runs at an impressive strike rate of 141.67.
Amelia Kerr | Mumbai Indians
With 13 wickets in eight innings at an economy rate of 6.55 and an average of 12.92, 22-year-old Kiwi starlet Amelia Kerr has played a crucial role in her side’s run to the playoffs. Currently tied second with Saika Ishaque in the race for the Purple Cap, Kerr has also proven to be a handy batter down the order, having scored 106 runs so far at an impressive strike rate of 124.70.
