The Mumbai Indians have emerged victorious in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023, becoming the first-ever champions of the tournament! The first edition of the WPL was a dazzling show of skill and determination, with players from all five teams putting on an awe-inspiring display of talent. From stunning batting performances to sensational fielding displays, the tournament had fans on the edge of their seats! Just like the first edition of the men’s IPL, this WPL was largely dominated by foreign players. The tournament provided an excellent opportunity for domestic Indian cricketers to rub shoulders with foreign international players and learn from their expertise, which will undoubtedly elevate the competition to new heights in the upcoming seasons.
What can you say about the Mumbai crowd? Their passion for cricket remains as strong as ever, evident from the electric atmosphere in the packed stadiums, where the chants of names of players echoed throughout. Watching the stands filled to capacity was truly heartening, adding to the excitement and fervour of the tournament. Here in this article, we have attempted a unique approach by selecting an XI based on the most memorable performances of the players. Although a consistent performer like Meg Lanning would typically be included in any XI, we have opted for players who have delivered truly exceptional displays, such as our openers..
Sophie Devine – RCB (vs GG, 16th Match) – 1/23; 99 runs (36 balls) SR: 275.00
What a jaw-dropping performance! RCB were facing a challenging target of 188 runs, but then out stepped Sophie Devine, who had different plans altogether. She played an innings for the ages, dismantling the opposition bowlers with effortless ease and precision. From the get-go, she went after the bowlers, hammering 24 runs in the second over against Gardner, and taking RCB to a whopping 77 runs in the powerplay alone! Devine hit a breath-taking 9 fours and 8 sixes, sparing no one in the process. Although she was slated to match the record for the fastest women’s T20 hundred, she fell agonizingly short, getting dismissed for a spectacular 99.
Shafali Verma – DC (vs RCB, 2nd Match) – 84 (45 balls) SR: 186.67
What a stunning start to the tournament it was for Verma! Her magnificent knock of 84 runs from just 45 balls, featuring an impressive 14 fours and 4 sixes, helped Delhi Capitals reach the mammoth total of 223. Despite concerns surrounding her batting stance, Verma delivered a masterclass performance that left most of her critics in awe. She fearlessly took on the opposition spinners, coming down the track with audacious stroke play. The positive impact of the WPL was evident as she showed a surge in confidence and approach, thanks to the invaluable guidance of Meg Lanning.
Hayley Matthews – MI (vs RCB, 4th Match) – 3/28; 77 (38 balls) SR: 202.63
RCB came into the tournament as the favourites, but Hayley Matthews’ all-round display of three wickets and an unbeaten 77 completely dismantled their hopes. Matthews’ stunning performance allowed her team to chase down the target with 34 balls to spare, leaving RCB in a state of shock. Her contribution wasn’t limited to batting, as she also took the crucial wickets of Smriti Mandhana, Heather Knight, and Richa Ghosh – three of RCB’s most potent batters.
Nat Sciver-Brunt – MI (vs DC, Finals) – 60 (55 balls)
Chasing a target in a final is never an easy task, which is why most experienced captains prefer to bat first. However, despite setting a relatively modest target, Delhi’s bowlers kept the Mumbai Indians’ openers in check, with Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews departing early on. In the face of some tight bowling, MI needed someone to step up and stabilize the innings, and that’s where the experience of Nat Sciver-Brunt came into play. Building on her impressive form from the eliminator, Sciver-Brunt played a crucial knock, scoring a well-deserved fifty that ultimately led MI to victory and the coveted title.
Harmanpreet Kaur – MI (vs GG, 1st Match) – 65 (30 balls)
Kaur started the innings with a bang and went on a rampage, hitting the bowlers to the cleaners. She found a good partner in Amelia Kerr, who also played a crucial role in building a solid foundation for the team. In the 14th over, Kaur showcased her brute force as she smashed four consecutive boundaries off Monica Patel, setting the tone for a mammoth total. The bowlers were completely at her mercy, and the last 10 overs saw a staggering 130 runs being scored. While fielding, she displayed excellent leadership, effectively using her resources, and as a result, the Mumbai Indians delivered a completely dominant performance, setting them off to a flying start in the WPL.
Grace Harris – UPW (vs GG, 3rd Match) – 59 (26 balls) & 7. Sophie Ecclestone 2/25; 22 (12 balls)
The match was hanging in the balance until Sophie Ecclestone walked to the crease with her team in dire straits at 105/7, and the prospect of a win seemed remote. But Harris and Ecclestone had different ideas, unleashing an incredible display of power-hitting. Harris played a remarkable innings, dispatching every delivery that came her way, while Ecclestone proved to be the perfect foil. Undoubtedly, the partnership of the tournament! The opposition bowlers were left stunned as they blazed their way to scoring a stunning 70 runs partnership off just 25 balls, carrying their team to an improbable victory.
Marizanne Kapp – DC (vs GG, 9th Match) – 5/15
In the ninth game of the tournament, Delhi Capitals faced off against Gujarat Giants and it was South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp who stole the show with her brilliant bowling display. Kapp single-handedly dismantled the GG’s batting line-up by picking up five wickets while conceding only 15 runs in her four-over spell. Her sensational performance in the powerplay left GG reeling at 31-5 at the end of six overs, and they could only manage a total of 105 runs.
Issy Wong – MI (vs UPW, Qualifiers) – 4/15
Issy Wong emerged as the hero of the eliminator match between Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz, delivering a brilliant bowling performance that helped her team secure a comfortable victory. After MI set a daunting target of 182 runs in the first innings, Wong immediately put UPW on the back foot by taking the wicket of the dangerous Alyssa Healy. But the best was yet to come, as she went on to become the first WPL player to take a hattrick, finishing with exceptional figures of 4/15.
Shaika Ishaque – MI (vs GG, 1st Match) – 4/11
In the opening match of WPL 2023, Mumbai Indians set a target of 208 runs for Gujarat Giants. MI’s left-arm spinner Shaika Ishaque was the star performer with the ball, picking up crucial wickets and finishing with impressive figures of 4-11 in just 3.1 overs. Her bowling broke the backbone of GG’s batting, dismissing Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Mansi Joshi, & Monica Patel, and sealing the emphatic victory for her team as GG crumbled under pressure and managed to score only 64 runs.
Tara Norris – DC (vs RCB, 2nd Match) – 5/29
In the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, DC’s Tara Norris produced a sensational bowling performance, picking up five wickets for just 29 runs. Her scalps included big names such as Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, and Heather Knight, which led to DC getting the better of RCB. Despite RCB getting off to a decent start in pursuit of 224, Norris’ outstanding spell in the middle overs turned the game in DC’s favour.
We have tried to stitch in a team of eleven based on their spectacular and memorable performances. However, the tournament was a huge success, because of how each of the teams and their players performed and tried to give their best. Readers may have their best eleven and it would be interesting to see their perspectives too.