Page 16 - Women's Premier League

WPL 2024: Shafali-Lanning 50s, Kapp's incisive spell propel DC to 9-wkt win

Fluent fifties by Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning and veteran pacer Marizanne Kapp's incisive new-ball spell fashioned Delhi Capitals' smooth nine-wicket victory over UP Warriorz in their Women's Premier League match here on Monday. Shafali (64 not out, 43 balls, 6x4, 4x6) and experienced captain Lanning (51, 43 balls, 6x4) steamrolled UP bowlers in a stunning display of batting as they overhauled the target in just 14.3 overs. But it was Kapp who laid the foundation of that win with a marvellous opening burst of 4-1-5-3 that saw the Warriorz getting restricted to 119 for nine. Shafali, who was dropped on 48 off Deepti Sharma by Kiran Navigere, and Lanning were severe on UP bowlers from the word go. The Indian star blasted left-arm spinner Gouhar Sultana over long-on for a six, and then tore into pacer Tahlia McGrath. Shafali first hammered the Aussie for a four through mid-wicket and then swatted the ball over the bowler's head for a six, and both the shots contained utter disdain.

WPL 2024: UP vs Delhi Playing 11, live telecast and streaming details

The UP Women vs DC Women cricket match live telecast will be available on Sports 18 HD/SD.

WPL 2024: Story of accidental leg-spinner Asha Sobhana, a star of RCB

Asha Sobhana's parents were in a state of panic and were ready to rush to a nearby police station to file a missing complaint when their daughter failed to turn up at home even three hours after the regular school closing time. But panic soon gave way to relief when Asha returned to her home at Peroorkada in Thiruvananthapuram around 7.30 PM, announcing her selection to the district women's cricket team with a beaming smile and scream. Her parents understood the depth of passion their daughter had for cricket at that moment and decided to support her. All those efforts have now taken Asha to the Royal Challengers Bangalore ranks in the Women's Premier League, and the leg-spinner's five-wicket haul (5/22) was the catalyst in their thrilling two-run win over UP Warriorz here on Saturday. Asha said the RCB contract came to her at the right time as she was toying with the idea of quitting the game because of no recognition even after toiling in domestic cricket for well over a ...

WPL 2024 Highlights Gujarat vs Mumbai: Kaur, Kerr star in MI's 5 wkts win

Kerr first made a strong impression with her leg-spin, grabbing four for 17 that helped defending champions Mumbai limit Gujarat Giants to an under-par 126 for nine.

WPL 2024: Meet Sajana Sajeevan; From paddy field cricket to overnight star

Sajeevan and Sharada struggled to hold back their tears when their daughter Sajana informed them about her debut for Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League (WPL) opener against Delhi Capitals on Friday. Their anxious wait to see Sajana in action turned into a joyous occasion for the whole neighbourhood as she slammed a final-ball six to propel the defending champions to a thrilling four-wicket victory here. Sajana's act of ultimate cricketing fantasy that turned her into an overnight protagonist had its genesis in humble surroundings of Mananthavady, a village in Wayanad, Kerala. Sajeevan, an autorickshaw driver in the village, and Sharada, panchayat councillor and accountant, had more daily worries, including loans, to address when Sajana began to take some interest in cricket. In fact, their modest financial environs prevented them from supporting Sajana's dream to pursue cricket. "Our income was not really that big enough to fund her sporting activities and travelling for

WPL 2024: Mithali Raj wants tournament to be played in different cities

Former India captain and Gujarat Giants mentor Mithali Raj said organising the Women's Premier League (WPL) in more than one city will help the teams develop new audience and enhance the tournament's profile. The first edition of the WPL was held only in Mumbai, but this time the BCCI is organising the tournament in Delhi and Bengaluru. "If WPL moves to every city, it gives the franchise a chance to develop a new audience, who can come and watch it play. This will only improve the profile of the tournament and the franchises," Mithali said in a Gujarat Giants release on Saturday. The former Indian skipper touched upon her role at Giants and said she was enjoying working with the team in a big platform like WPL. "I have been enjoying this role as mentor, working with young players, sharing my knowledge, helping them stay in a good space and perform their roles to the best of their ability," she said. Gujarat Giants are all set to open their campaign against defending champions Mumb

WPL 2024: Kaur, Bhatia fifties help MI beat DC in final-ball thriller

Forceful fifties by Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika Bhatia helped defending champions Mumbai Indians ace a thrilling final-ball chase to beat Delhi Capitals by four wickets in the Women's Premier League (WPL 2024) opener here on Friday. Skipper Harmanpreet made 55 (34b, 7x4, 1x6) as Mumbai scaled down 172 off the last ball and she was helped a great deal by Yastika, who made 57 off 45 balls (8x4, 2x6). The 19-year-old Alice Capsey's power-packed 75 (53b, 8x4, 3x6) was a perfect vindication of her future star as she guided Delhi Capitals to 171 for five, setting a tall barrier in front of Mumbai. But the Mumbai outfit stayed in the match through fine efforts by Yastika and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Despite their concerted efforts, Mumbai still needed 12 runs off the last over bowled by off-spinner Capsey, who was later adjudged player of the match. Capsey ousted Harmanpreet and Pooja Vastrakar in the first and fifth balls of the 20th over as Mumbai were left to make five runs off the l

WPL 2024 Highlights RCB vs UP: Asha's five-for helps RCB defend 157

WPL 2024, RCB W vs UPW highlights: Royal Challengers Bangalore women's team kept their nerves in check to win the last over thriller against UP Warriorz

WPL 2024: Deepti always wanted to be a cop, appointed DSP in UP Police

It's not often that one gets to live a cherished professional dream after taking a completely different career path in life but Indian women's cricket team all-rounder Deepti Sharma counts herself among the lucky few after being appointed a DSP in Uttar Pradesh Police, something that she aspired for as a child. Sharma, who hails from Agra, was named a DSP in UP Police last month and was felicitated by state chief minister Yogi Adityanath with a cash prize of Rs 3 crore for her performances in the last couple of years. Sharma was part of the teams that won the Asian Games gold last year and the Commonwealth Games silver in 2022. "I always dreamt of becoming a police officer. I used to see that it is a difficult job but I always wanted to wear that uniform once and wanted to see how it felt," Sharma told PTI Video. "My parents also supported me that I should become a police officer. I and my family are really happy with this recognition," she said. The off-spinner was adjudged the ..

WPL 2024: Lanning credits league for improving domestic cricket standards

Despite entering its second year, the Women's Premier League (WPL) has already contributed immensely to improve the standard of domestic Indian players, reckoned Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning here on Thursday. Lanning, who has the experience of touring around the world for several other T20 leagues alongside winning five World Cups, has little doubt that the development of WPL and the players would hit the next level in the years to come. There's been some really significant improvement in the local Indian players from what I've seen so far. I think WPL has played a big role in that among other factors, Lanning said here ahead of the WPL opening fixture between Delhi and Mumbai Indians on Friday. It's (WPL) only going to get bigger every year. There are a lot of eyes on you as well. And for the Indian locals (players) in particular, it really gives them an opportunity to put their names up and perform well and then see where it goes from there. Talking about their tournament .

WPL 2024: Harmanpreet and MI trying not to expect too much from themselves

Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said on Thursday that the defending champions have been trying to keep their own expectation level to a minimum and focus on the WPL opener against Delhi Capitals. Mumbai will face-off with Delhi here on Friday in a repeat of the last year's final, which was held in Mumbai. "We just kept our preparations very simple. We are trying not to expect too much from ourselves and doing too many things. That was our approach last year too and we want to continue that. We are feeling very confident going into this match and tournament," said Harmanpreet in her pre-match press meet. One reason for that, Harmanpreet felt, was the Mumbai Indians' extensive pre-tournament camp held in their home turf. "We used the facilities in Mumbai ahead of the WPL. We played a few practice games as well, so that we could try some new combinations and the players too get a chance to work upon their game. "We feel that we are ready for the game. Last year, we had to do

WPL 2024: MI vs DC Playing 11, live match time, live streaming details

The Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals Women's Premier League 2024 live telecast will be available on Sports 18 HD/SD.

WPL 2024: Meet Fatima Jaffer; a fascinating rare ambidextrous bowler

Cricket runs in the blood for Fatima Jaffer, but the young Mumbai Indians player has walked a different route and defied the family tradition. The niece of former India and Mumbai batter Wasim Jaffer, Fatima is more drawn towards bowling, and that too in a quirky way. She is one of the rare ambidextrous bowlers in the Indian domestic circuit a right-arm medium pacer who can fill in the role of a left-arm spinner when the situation demands so. But her beginning as an ambidextrous bowler happened in a less than creditable circumstances. "I got into the Mumbai side as a right-arm pacer. But in the first match that I played, three of our spinners got called for chucking,' Fatima was quoted in the MI website. However, the unfortunate turn of events opened a door to Fatima. "My then coach knew that I used to practice left-arm spin, not as a profession, just for fun. So, he came up to me and asked me if I could bowl it in the match. "The first ever match I bowled in as a left-arm spin

WPL 2024: Jemimah wants to erase disappointment by winning title this time

Delhi Capitals vice-captain Jemimah Rodrigues said on Thursday it was difficult overcoming the loss to Mumbai Indians in the WPL title showdown last season and hoped that with this edition's final scheduled to be held in the national capital, her team would aim for the trophy. DC fell short in the title showdown, losing by seven wickets to MI at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai last season. "It was hard (losing the final). We were doing well throughout the tournament, and we had some amazing games. The one we really wanted to win the most; that didn't go in our favour," she told JioCinema. "But, that's sport. That's why we love playing. You win some, you lose some. It teaches you a lot -- to get back up and gives you another chance always. This (upcoming edition) is our other chance. Hopefully, this year on our home ground, we lift the WPL trophy." Jemimah added that working with Australian stalwart and DC skipper Meg Lanning had helped her understand the nuances of captaincy ...

WPL 2024 MI vs DC Preview: Focus on young Indian stars as Mumbai face Delhi

The second edition of the Women's Premier League, beginning here on Friday with a high-profile match between defending champions Mumbai Indians and runners-up Delhi Capitals, will be optimistic about meeting its existential purpose of giving a wider platform to promising home-grown talents. The foreign stars glittered brightly in the inaugural edition held in Mumbai, and the Indians will be hoping to hog some of the limelight this year as the tournament takes a multi-city format shape with New Delhi being the other host city. While Capitals' skipper Meg Lanning, who has now retired from international cricket, took the Orange Cap last year for the highest run-getter, the Purple Cap went to Hayley Matthews of Mumbai for taking 16 wickets. Amid this surge of overseas players, the Indian cricketers generally struggled for consistency and impact in the previous year, but now some of the young domestic stars will eye this WPL with genuine hope. Let's take Shreyanka Patil of Royal ...

From Ecclestone to Titas Sadhu: Top five bowlers to watch out in WPL 2024

A look at the top five contenders who could take home the Purple Cap by being leading wicket-takers in WPL 2024

From Mandhana to Athapaththu: Top five batters to watch out in WPL 2024

A look at the top five contenders who could take home the Orange Cap by being leading run-scorers and top batters in WPL 2024

Women's Premier League: Gujarat Giants SWOT analysis, schedule for WPL 2024

In India's Rana, Australians Mooney and Garnder and South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, they have an experienced quartet which has played a lot of cricket at the highest level

Women's Premier League: UP Warriorz SWOT analysis, schedule for WPL 2024

With four world-class players in Healy, Deepti, Ecclestone and McGrath and a quality support cast in Grace Harris, Wyatt and young gun Dinesh, Warriorz are prime contenders

WPL 2024: DC skipper Lanning spills beans and some coffee on preparations

Lanning, who was the leading scorer in the tournament with 345 runs in nine matches, said that she enjoyed coffee all the time and that becoming associated with the cafe was a surreal experience