TATA WPL, the sporting tournament which has garnered popularity worldwide is back with the second season with the talented and ferocious women cricketers globally. The mega sport will commence on 23 February 2024 and mark its finals on 17 March 2024. The country is waiting to watch the smashing performances of women cricketers from across the world.
Indian cricket is experiencing a new era with women's cricketers gaining prominence, breaking barriers, and shattering stereotypes. The respective sport which was previously a gentlemen's game, women athletes at present are showcasing their prowess, resilience, and determination, captivating audiences with their exceptional talent and unwavering spirit.
India's women's cricket has experienced significant growth, with trailblazing players becoming household names and inspiring young girls. Their stories showcase the power of passion, perseverance, and grit in redefining norms and reshaping the narrative of cricket in India.
Let us delve into the top 5 women cricketers who have showcased their talent in the fields and to whom we should look forward during the second edition of TATA WPL:
Beth Mooney
Australian cricket player Beth Mooney has had a successful Women's Premier League (WPL) career. She made her debut for Queensland Fire in 2010 and excelled as a wicket-keeper-batter in 2009-10. Her impressive performances in 2012-13 earned her attention.
Beth Mooney, who was formerly a batswoman-keeper, is now recognized as a skilled opener at the top of the batting order. She was named captain of the Gujarat Giants in the WPL's first season. Unfortunately, an injury forced her to withdraw from the tournament after the first round. This year, it will be amazing to witness Beth's on-field performance as she continues to establish herself as one of the top hitters in international T20 cricket.
Smriti Mandhana
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana was born on July 18, 1996, and is a prominent player of the Indian women's national team. She bats mostly with her left hand and is renowned for her aggressive and consistent stroke play. She made her debut for Maharashtra's Under-15 team at 9 and was selected for Under-19 at 11. In 2016, she joined the Women's Big Bash League with Harmanpreet Kaur.
Her two centuries at the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup helped her become widely recognized. Known for her refined stroke play, she has consistently showcased her power performance for India.
Smriti Mandhana was named captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team for the Women's Premier League (WPL) season. She was the highest bid for a player in the WPL auction and was acquired by RCB for an incredible Rs. 3.4 crores.
Laura Wolvaardt
Laura Wolvaardt, born on April 26, 1999, is a talented South African cricketer who has made significant contributions to both domestic and international cricket. Laura at the age of 13 made her debut for the Western Province U-19 girls' team in 2013, scoring 13 runs and becoming the top scorer in Cricket South Africa Under 19 Girls Week. Laura is also renowned as the youngest South African to score an international century at 17, has played 80 ODIs, scoring 3 centuries and 29 half-centuries, and played for Brisbane Heat.
During the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023 season, she demonstrated her talent and made a great impression on the cricket world. Laura was a player for Gujarat Giants where she performed phenomenally. She scored 68 runs off of just 42 deliveries in a match against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Nine fours and two sixes in her innings. She made significant partnerships with Ashleigh Gardner (41), and Sabbhineni Meghana (31) to help the team reach 188/4 in 20 overs. She had also scored 57 runs against the Delhi Capitals in the tournament, thus this was her second consecutive fifty.
Hayley Matthews
Hayley Kristen Matthews, born in 1998, is a prominent Barbadian cricketer and track and field player. She plays for the West Indies and has impressive off-breaks. During the 2015 West Indies tour of Sri Lanka, she was the highest wicket-taker. Hayley left her mark on the 2016 Women's World T20, as she scored an incredible 66 off 45 balls in the final against Australia to help the West Indies win.
During the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023 season, Hayley marked a great influence. She showcased her skills with the bat and the ball while playing for the Mumbai Indians (MI). She played a remarkable spell in the WPL 2023 Final at Brabourne Stadium against the Delhi Capitals (DC). She finished with an impressive 5 wickets for 3 runs in her 4 overs, 2 maidens included. Jemimah Rodriguez was among her vital wickets, and she was the one who smashed the DC lower order, limiting them to a score of 79-9. Hayley concluded with a total of 16 wickets in 10 matches, earning the Purple Cap for her consistent bowling performance throughout the tournament.
Chamari Athapaththu
Chamari Athapaththu, born in 1990, is an all-rounder Sri Lankan cricketer and current captain of the women's Twenty20 International team. She has played for various domestic teams. Chamari is renowned for her aggressive batting style in the top order. In the Women's Premier League (WPL), she left her mark through her power-pact performance. In the WPL 2024 season, she joined the league as a UP Warriorz substitute player. Although Chamari had a fantastic 2023 season, she was overlooked during the WPL auction. This season, however, she has secured her place with the UP Warriorz, replacing Lauren Bell. She uses rejections as motivation to excel in her field, demonstrating her tenacity and determination to continue performing at her best.
