The upcoming second season of the Women’s Premier League is set to unfold exciting prospects for budding talents and international stars alike. As we prepare for another round of auction, Indian players will anxiously anticipate bids to secure their spots across among the 21 slots spread the five franchises. Last season, a few international gems went unnoticed. This time around, with 61 overseas players in the mix, the competition is fierce as they fight for a place among the extremely scarce 9 slots available across the five franchises.
With a total of 30 slots available, who are the players that are likely to be the most sought after by the franchises?
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Vrinda Dinesh
Vrinda Dinesh, a standout performer for Karnataka in the last two seasons, has garnered praise for her consistent performances and powerful hitting upfront. At just 22, she has already made a mark in the India A squad, recently featuring in three home games against England A.
In June, she played a crucial role in the triumph of the India Under-23 side at the ACC Emerging Teams Cup in Hong Kong. Vrinda was initially not a part of the squad, but her impressive performances in the warm-up games led to her inclusion. She was named in the XI for the final, where she impressed with a 29-ball 36, contributing to the side’s victory.
Earlier this year, Vrinda impressed once again as she played a pivotal role in Karnataka’s journey to the final of the Senior Women’s one-day competition, finishing as the third-highest run-scorer with 477 runs, including a noteworthy 81 in the semi-final against Rajasthan.
Mannat Kashyap
Mannat Kashyap, a left-arm spinner with some old-school flair, has made a significant impact among the Indian cricket circuit, earning a spot in the national T20I squad for the England series.
Mannat was a key member of the India U19 World Cup squad that clinched the trophy in February. She along with Shreyanka Patil formed a penetrative spin front for the Indian team. She picked up a 4-for against Scotland on her debut. She scalped 9 wickets in the U19 World Cup, emerging as the 2nd highest wicket-taker for India. She also played a crucial role at the Emerging Asia Cup final as she picked up 3 wickets while defending a target of 127.
Kashvee Gautam
Kashvee Gautam, a tall right-arm seamer made headlines in 2020 with an extraordinary 10-wicket-haul, including a hat-trick, in a one-day game for Chandigarh against Arunachal Pradesh. Despite going unsold in the WPL auction, her consistent performances have kept her in the limelight.
Kashvee has been consistently increasing her pace while also performing persistently in domestic cricket. She picked up 12 wickets in 7 games at the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy. She was included in the U23 Squad for the ACC Emerging tournament. She also recently picked up 3 wickets for India A against England A.
Danni Wyatt
Danni Wyatt, a seasoned T20I player with over 150 appearances, will be entering the auction with a base price of INR 30 lakh. Despite her disappointment in the previous auction after going unsold, Wyatt’s ability to hit hard at the top order and dominate spinners sets her apart. She excelled in the Women’s Hundred, topping the batting charts for Southern Brave and Southern Vipers in the CE Cup.
With a strike rate of 141.14, Wyatt scored 295 runs in the Women’s Hundred, delivering a Player of the Match performance in the final. Her T20I record in India is formidable, amassing 459 runs in 16 outings at a strike rate of 143.43, including a best of 124.
Amanda Wellington
Amanda Wellington boasts a winning streak in 2023. Despite being omitted from Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, she shone in the WCPL final with a 4-for for Barbados Royals. Wellington’s impressive performance continued in the WBBL, where she claimed 23 wickets, helping Adelaide Strikers defend their crown.
Known for her all-round skills, Wellington is a handy batter down the order, making her a valuable pick for any team. Her connection with Royal Challengers Bangalore through Strikers’ head coach Luke Williams adds an interesting angle to her potential choices.
Annabel Sutherland
Annabel Sutherland will be looking for a revival after being released by Gujarat Giants in WPL 2023. Despite a slow start, her performances in the women’s Ashes showcased her true potential. Sutherland’s maiden Test century and impactful T20I contributions marked a turning point in her career.
In the 2023 WBBL, Sutherland performed brilliantly for Melbourne Stars, scoring 288 runs and picking up 23 wickets, leading the team in the absence of Meg Lanning. Sutherland is sure to be a strong contender in the upcoming auction.