Players to look out for in Women’s Premier League that begins on Friday  

Smriti Mandhana's poetic cover drives, Harmanpreet Kaur's swagger and cold aggression, the muscular power of Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh, the shrewdness of Deepti Sharma and Alana King, along with the expertise of cricket superstars Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning, and Annabel Sutherland, will all be up for display at the third edition of the Women's Premier League that kicks off at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, Gujarat, on Friday.

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The premier platform for showcasing both budding talent and seasoned professionals will also see teenagers N Prasad, the captain of the Under-19 World Cup winning Indian team, and wicket-keeper batter G Kamalini fighting for space in one of the biggest tournaments in women’s cricket.

The Captains: Pillars of Poise and Precision

Smriti Mandhana (RCB): A maestro of cover drives, Smriti Mandhana paints the cricketing canvas with her elegant strokes. The silky drives are poetry in motion, reminding one of England player David Gower’s slicing of the off-field.

Her leadership is the heartbeat of the RCB, as the women’s team won the trophy last time, a feat the men’s team led by Virat Kohli has failed to achieve.

Meg Lanning (DC): With an unerring eye and impeccable technique, Lanning is the pivot around which Delhi Capitals rotate. Her strategic acumen and fierce determination make her a formidable adversary.

Harmanpreet Kaur (MI): The stalwart of Mumbai Indians, Harmanpreet's aggressive style and knack for big hits injects dynamism into the game. Her spirited leadership often leads to thrilling comebacks.

Ashleigh Gardner (GG): Gardner's versatility is a treasure trove for Gujarat Giants. Her prowess with both bat and ball, coupled with an astute cricketing brain, ensures GG remain a force to reckon with.

Deepti Sharma (UPW): The guile and wisdom Deepti brings to the field is unrivalled. Her off-spinning deliveries often leave batters in a quandary, making her a pivotal player for UP Warriorz.

Shining Bright on the Horizon

Shafali Verma (DC): The embodiment of raw power, Shafali's batting is a spectacle of brute strength. Her fearlessness at the crease is a constant thrill for fans and a nightmare for bowlers.

Richa Ghosh (RCB): Known for her muscular power and finishing abilities, Richa's explosive batting lower down the order is a game-changer for RCB.

Jemimah Rodrigues (DC): A live wire on the field, Jemimah's athleticism and agility make her an asset in all three departments — batting, bowling, and fielding. Her vivacity is contagious.

Hayley Matthews (MI): The Windies wonder, Matthews' all-round abilities bring a balanced edge to Mumbai Indians. Her quick runs and sharp off-breaks add depth to the team.

Sophie Ecclestone (UPW): The world's top-ranked bowler, Ecclestone's left-arm spin is a conundrum that often leaves batters bamboozled. Her consistency and precision are unmatched.

The Rising Talents 

The WPL-2025 is not just about established stars but also a platform for nurturing the next generation of cricketing talent.

G Kamalini (MI): This young prodigy is already making headlines with her wicketkeeping skills and aggressive batting. At just 16, Kamalini is a beacon of hope for the future of Indian cricket.

Niki Prasad (DC): Leading India's U-19 T20 World Cup-winning team, Prasad's all-round capabilities are expected to shine through in the WPL. Her maturity and skill set her apart.

Prema Rawat (RCB): She is a leg-spinning all-rounder with a penchant for taking crucial wickets and scoring important runs. Rawat's domestic performances have earmarked her as the one to watch out for.

Shweta Sehrawat (UPW): Consistent and reliable, Sehrawat's batting prowess makes her a strong contender for stardom in this year's WPL.

Foreign players who enjoy a celebrity status worldwide:-

These foreign stars bring a wealth of experience, skill and excitement to the WPL 2025. Their performances will be pivotal in determining the fortunes of their respective teams. They are:-

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Ellyse Perry: The Australian all-rounder is a cricketing legend. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes her an invaluable asset to RCB.

Danni Wyatt: Known for her aggressive batting, Wyatt's explosive starts can set the tone for RCB's innings.

Georgia Wareham: A leg-spinner with a knack for taking crucial wickets, Wareham adds depth to RCB's bowling attack.

Delhi Capitals (DC)

Meg Lanning: The Australian captain brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the team. Her consistent performances at the top of the order are crucial for DC.

Marizanne Kapp: The South African all-rounder is known for her powerful hitting and accurate bowling. Kapp's versatility makes her a key player for DC.

Alice Capsey: A young and dynamic all-rounder from England, Capsey's energy and skill set make her a player to watch out for.

Mumbai Indians (MI)

Hayley Matthews: The West Indian all-rounder is a force to be reckoned with. Her explosive batting and effective off-spin make her a match-winner.

Natalie Sciver-Brunt: The English all-rounder is known for her powerful hitting and reliable medium-pace bowling. Sciver-Brunt's experience is invaluable to MI.

Amelia Kerr: The New Zealand leg-spinner is a wicket-taking machine. Her ability to turn the ball sharply makes her a threat to any batting lineup.

Gujarat Giants (GG)

Ashleigh Gardner: The Australian all-rounder leads the team with her aggressive batting and effective off-spin. Gardner's leadership and skills are crucial for GG.

Beth Mooney: The Australian wicketkeeper-batter is known for her consistency and ability to anchor the innings. Mooney's experience adds stability to GG's batting lineup.

Deandra Dottin: The West Indian all-rounder is a powerhouse with both bat and ball. Dottin's explosive style can change the course of a match in an instant.

UP Warriorz (UPW)

Sophie Ecclestone: The English left-arm spinner is the world's top-ranked bowler. Her precision and consistency make her a key player for the UPW.

Tahlia McGrath: The Australian all-rounder is known for her powerful hitting and effective medium-paced bowling. McGrath's versatility is a major asset for UPW.

Chamari Athapaththu: The Sri Lankan captain is a dynamic batter with the ability to score quickly. Athapaththu's aggressive style adds firepower to UPW's batting lineup.