For Mumbai Indians, the second version of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is prone to current a higher problem than what they confronted within the first season. Not solely do they carry the load of being defending champions, they gained’t benefit from the assist of partisan crowds like they did at residence venues final yr because the T20 competitors strikes to Bengaluru and Delhi.
Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur together with teammates have fun with the Womens Premier League 2023(WPL/Twitter)
Having mentioned that, Harmanpreet Kaur and Co begin favourites coming into WPL 2024, which begins with a conflict between them and 2023 runners-up Delhi Capitals on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Friday. It is the stability of Indian and abroad stars, the combo of youth and expertise and the variety of all-rounders within the squad that units MI aside from the opposite 4 groups within the match.
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“We just want to do what we did last year, keep things simple and enjoy our cricket,” mentioned Harmanpreet at MI’s pre-tournament press convention in Mumbai.
“We hope to give all the players clear roles so that they can go out there and perform. I know a lot of eyeballs will be on us this time since we won last year. But last year as well, we didn’t put any pressure on ourselves. We’ll try and create a similar atmosphere, enjoy each other’s success and back each other.”
In Harmanpreet, who additionally leads India throughout codecs, MI have a captain who has expertise in coping with strain conditions and might rally the home gamers. With the bat, the 34-year-old regarded safe on the crease final season and aggregated 281 runs, with three half-centuries, in 9 innings.
Mumbai have 4 different India internationals of their ranks – Pooja Vastrakar, Yastika Bhatia, Amanjot Kaur and Saika Ishaque.
In the current residence collection towards England and Australia, Pooja emerged a key participant along with her all-round performances. Amanjot, who’s a gun fielder, has proven promise as a seam-bowling all-rounder. While Saika’s left-arm spin was a serious weapon for MI final season, Yastika is a strong choice for the function of keeper-batter.
As far as abroad gamers are involved, Hayley Matthews and Natalie Sciver-Brunt fashioned a dream pair for MI final yr. Matthews was good with the bat on the prime of the order and backed that up along with her intelligent off-spin. She gained the Player-of-the-Tournament award, and later within the yr hit a panoramic 64-ball 132 to assist West Indies chase down 212 in a T20 towards Australia.
Sciver-Brunt was Player-of-the-Match in final yr’s closing for her unbeaten half-century. The 31-year-old is arguably the best batter within the ladies’s recreation in the intervening time and gained back-to-back ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year awards. A medium-pacer, she additionally has the knack of offering breakthroughs.
“Hayley and Nat are two wonderful all-rounders who have dominated the world game over the last 12 months,” MI head coach and former England captain Charlotte Edwards mentioned. “We’re really lucky to have them in our squad. I’ve played with Nat and then watched her grow as a player over the years. It’s been incredible to see her success. And Hayley was, without a doubt, our standout player last year. So yeah, looking for more of the same from them this time.”
In phrases of bowling, Mumbai have been a reduce above the remainder final season as they’d 4 of the 5 highest wicket-takers within the match. Apart from Matthews and Saika, younger England pacer Issy Wong and New Zealand leg-spinner Amelia Kerr have been key contributors. Now with South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail becoming a member of the squad, the MI assault appears to be like all of the stronger.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
