Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, 13 February (ANI): The third edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) will commence from this Friday, with the opening match between the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Giants (GG) taking place in Vadodara.
The tournament will run through to March 15, with the final scheduled to take place at Brabourne Stadium.
Ahead of the tournament's start, the captains of all teams, Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, UP Warriorz skipper Deepti Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner of Gujarat Giants (GG), RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana and Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Meg Lanning, gathered at Star Sports Press Room - WPL Captain's Huddle.
Speaking on Star Sports, Harmanpreet expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming new season and how the tournament has allowed domestic players to develop and play with increased aggressiveness. Following their inaugural title win and playoff appearance last season, MI would be targeting their second championship.
"I'm extremely enthusiastic because this season, many talented players have been selected by all the teams. Last season, we witnessed players who delivered outstanding performances and earned their spots in the national team. This year, I anticipate an even more intense competition as domestic cricketers have thoroughly prepared themselves for this opportunity," she said.
A significant improvement has been observed in domestic cricket, particularly in the batting department. This season, we have witnessed numerous scores of 300+ runs in domestic matches, indicating a more aggressive approach. Players are focusing on enhancing their power-hitting, fielding, and overall skill set, which is a highly positive development.
Deepti, who has been named the new captain for the franchise, spoke about leading the team in the absence of Australian star Alyssa Healy.
"I'm thrilled to be the captain in the Women's Premier League. Having previously led my state team, I'll be able to draw upon that experience. This is a new challenge, but I'm always up for a challenge, regardless of the level," she said.
She stated that the team would miss her absence.
"But with this opportunity, I want the team to play a strong and recognizable style of cricket. We had a successful first season, but lost our momentum last year. This time, we aim to be more consistent and deliver our best performances," she added.
Following their qualification for the playoffs in 2023 and a fourth-place finish in the previous year, UPW is aiming to improve their standing and reach the finals in the current season.
Gardner, whose team Gujarat Giants finished at the bottom for the past two seasons, said that the past is behind them and they are now focusing on the future.
"Our coaches have taught us to take risks without fear, and we've added experienced players from around the world and promising young talent from home. We're well-equipped to improve our performance this year," she said.
She acknowledged that communication can be challenging with Indian players at times.
"Meg Lanning might agree with me on this! However, it is at this point that senior Indian players play a vital role in bridging the gap and ensuring clarity. Everyone in the team shares the same objective, so clear communication and instilling confidence in my players will be essential for us," she added.
RCB captain Mandhana stated, "We had a wonderful auction, and the domestic season was truly impressive in terms of overall quality. I am particularly enthused about a few players--Prema Rawat is an exceptionally gifted talent, Raghvi Bist possesses incredible potential, and Kanika Ahuja is making a comeback after an injury. I am eagerly looking forward to witnessing their performances in the WPL."
On the absence of experienced New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine, she said, "Sophie Devine has been one of the world's top all-rounders and played a crucial role for us. We will certainly miss her, but her mental well-being takes precedence over everything, and we respect that decision. Despite key players being injured, we will rise to the challenge as a team. Playing at Chinnaswamy Stadium with RCB fans cheering us on is always a thrill, and we're eager for that support."
The Delhi Capitals' skipper Lanning also stated that India is extremely passionate about cricket, which led to a relatively low level of support for the WPL.
"It's wonderful to see the women's game receiving this level of acknowledgment, and a tournament like WPL is instrumental in expanding the sport's global reach," she concluded.