Senior Women’s T20 Trophy stars who could be on WPL franchises shortlists

Humaaira Kazi for MI and Manali Dakshini for Mumbai
Humaaira Kazi for MI and Manali Dakshini for Mumbai (PC: Insta)

A few days ago, the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy came to an end, with Mumbai successfully defending their title by defeating Bengal in a lopsided final by 10 wickets. Throughout the tournament, several players across all teams delivered standout performances with both bat and ball.

Meanwhile, WPL franchises have already submitted their retention lists as they prepare for the third season of the tournament in 2025. Looking ahead to the mini-auction, some top performers from this year’s Senior Women’s T20 Trophy could catch the attention of the franchises.

Humairaa Kazi – Mumbai

The Mumbai skipper guided her team to glory by clinching the prestigious trophy. Leading from the front, Humairaa emerged as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, amassing 328 runs in 11 innings. The 31-year-old right-handed batter displayed remarkable consistency, providing her team with solid starts.

In the final, she showcased her intent with a composed yet aggressive knock of 41 not out off 36 balls, featuring some delightful shots. Her attacking approach was evident throughout her innings. Having an opener like her at the top order would undoubtedly be a significant asset for any WPL team. Mumbai Indians released her along with other three players.

Tanusree Sarkar – Bengal

Tanusree finished as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer, accumulating 288 runs in nine innings for Bengal. She was a consistent performer, primarily batting at the No. 3 position. One of the standout features of her performances was her strike-rate. In seven of her nine innings, she maintained a strike-rate of over 100.

Her highest score, an unbeaten 51 off 44 balls, came against Hyderabad. Against Nagaland, she showcased her aggressive approach by smashing 34 not out off just 17 balls. With her attacking mindset and ability to adapt, Tanusree could be a valuable addition to any WPL team, offering flexibility to the batting line-up at the crucial No. 3 position.

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Mumbai winning the Senior Women's T20 Trophy
Mumbai winning the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy (PC: Insta)

Jagravi Pawar – Mumbai

Jagravi is another player who could attract attention from WPL franchises at the upcoming auction, thanks to her exceptional performance in the tournament. She claimed 16 wickets in 11 games, becoming the joint top wicket-taker alongside Himachal’s Yamuna Rana (another player to watch out for). Not only did she take wickets, but she was also highly economical throughout the competition.

In the final against Bengal, Jagravi dismantled the batting line-up with figures of 3/13 in her four overs. She also delivered impressive performances in the pre-quarterfinal against Punjab, taking another three-wicket haul, and against Gujarat, where she grabbed 3/10. Additionally, she showcased her skill with a four-wicket spell, conceding just 24 runs against Goa. Her consistency and ability to deliver under pressure makes her a strong prospect for the WPL.

Fatima Jaffer – Mumbai

This 22-year-old slow left-arm orthodox bowler displayed remarkable composure and consistency, particularly in the middle overs. In T20 cricket, taking regular wickets during this phase can shift the momentum, making Fatima’s role vital.

She picked up 14 wickets in 10 matches and truly shone in the knockout stage. Fatima bagged three wickets in the quarter-final, followed by two in the semi-final, and capped it off with a crucial wicket in the final. Her ability to deliver under pressure highlights her potential as a key asset for any team.  Fatima is another player who was released by Mumbai Indians.

In addition to these standout players, several other names could emerge as surprise picks for the WPL franchises. From Mumbai, Ira Jadhav and Manali Dakshini are promising options. Ira, a talented youngster, has shown potential and could be a future star. Manali, on the other hand, is known for her impressive pace.

Himachal’s opening bowlers, Vasuvi Fishta and Jyoti Thakur, are also likely to catch the eye of the franchises with their ability to make early breakthroughs. Another notable performer is Mamta Paswan from Jharkhand, who took 13 wickets in just six matches. Remarkably, she claimed at least one wicket in every game, showcasing consistency that makes her a strong contender for the WPL 2025.

Also Read: Back-to-back Senior Women’s T20 title for Mumbai