Women's Premier League 2024 Kickstarts: When & Where To Watch?

The anticipation for the second edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL 2024) is reaching a crescendo as it is poised to kick off on February 23, 2024, at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With its inaugural clash set to ignite the pitch at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the second edition promises a spectacle of talent, strategy, and sheer sporting fervor.

The curtain-raiser pits defending champions the Mumbai Indians against the formidable Delhi Capitals, marking a clash of titans from the outset. As the two contenders lock horns, spectators brace themselves for a display of cricketing prowess that will undoubtedly set the tone for the tournament's intensity and competition.

Unchanged Format, Unmatched Thrills

The format of WPL 2024 remains consistent with the previous edition. The five participating teams will engage in a round-robin format, facing each other twice during the league stage. The team topping the WPL points table will secure a direct berth in the final, while the second and third-placed teams will clash in the eliminator. The triumphant team from the eliminator will then face the table-toppers in the grand finale, creating an intense and competitive trajectory to determine the ultimate champion.

Dual Venues, Singular Excitement

WPL 2024 unfolds across two prestigious venues, each echoing with the roar of enthusiastic fans and the crack of the bat:

• Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium: Serving as the stage for the initial leg of the tournament, this iconic venue sets the scene for electrifying encounters and jaw-dropping moments.
• Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium: The baton will then pass to Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium for the second leg, culminating in the all-important Eliminator and the grand final.

An interesting deviation from the norm is the absence of double headers throughout the tournament, ensuring a focused and intense schedule.

Catch the Action Live!

For enthusiasts eager to witness the drama unfold firsthand, here are the essential details:

• Match Timings: All matches commence at 7:30 PM IST, with the live toss preceding at 7:00 PM IST.
• Live Telecast: Sports 18 HD/SD delivers live coverage of WPL 2024 matches, ensuring fans don't miss a moment of the action.
• Live Streaming: Tune in to Jio Cinemas for seamless live streaming of all WPL 2024 encounters, bringing the thrill of cricket to your screens with unparalleled clarity and convenience.

Analyzing WPL 2024 Squads

Five formidable teams are ready to battle it out in the WPL arena. Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Giants, Royal Challengers Bangalore, UP Warriorz, and Delhi Capitals have meticulously crafted their rosters, ensuring a perfect blend of experience and raw talent. 

Delhi Capitals: Aiming for Redemption

Delhi Capitals, having secured the runners-up position in WPL 2023 after dominating the league stage, enter the 2024 edition with high aspirations.The Capitals boast a roster filled with talent, featuring key players such as Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, and the dynamic all-rounder, Jess Jonassen. Their strength lies in the abundance of all-rounders, providing strategic flexibility. Notable mentions include the reliable Annabel Sutherland, a valuable backup for Marizanne Kapp, and the seasoned Arundhati Reddy, bringing in her stellar domestic form.

While the Capitals exhibit strength in their all-round arsenal, a potential vulnerability surfaces with the absence of a backup for leg-spinner Poonam Yadav. Additionally, the team grapples with having two wicketkeepers, raising questions about the balance between batting and keeping skills. A player to watch out for in the squad is Ashwani Kumari, whose stellar performance in the Senior Women's Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy makes her a compelling replacement for any Indian batter in the XI. Her impressive strike rate of 184.90 adds a dynamic dimension to the team's batting lineup.

Gujarat Giants: Seeking Redemption and Reinforcement

After a lacklustre performance in the WPL 2023, the Gujarat Giants are determined to turn the tide in the upcoming season. The Giants, who finished last in the previous edition, have revamped their lineup with players like Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney. The inclusion of Kathryn Bryce from Scotland provides the team with the option to play five overseas players, adding a strategic advantage. Despite the promising additions, challenges arise with Bryce and Tahuhu adapting quickly to Indian conditions. The team's success may hinge on the swift adjustment of these key players to the pitches in Bengaluru and New Delhi.

In the absence of the injured Kashvee Gautam, all eyes are on the replacement player, Sayali Satghare. A seam-bowling all-rounder with a stellar domestic record, Satghare's performance could be a game-changer for the Giants.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Balancing Act for Glory

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) enter WPL 2024 with a mission to rectify their bowling woes from the previous season by bringing in Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux, known for their control and batting contributions. The experienced Nadine de Klerk adds a hitting dimension to the lineup, potentially shoring up the leaky runs from the previous season.

Despite these reinforcements, the team remains thin on seam-bowling resources. The burden may fall on Ellyse Perry and Sophie Devine to shoulder additional responsibilities. With an eye on Shubha Satheesh, a versatile player who can bat, field, and bowl seam, her ability to provide a right-left option in the order may prove vital for RCB.

Mumbai Indians: Defending the Crown with Precision

Following a triumphant inaugural season, the Mumbai Indians have strategically retained 13 players, showcasing their faith in the core team's capabilities. The trio of Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Amelia Kerr, considered among the best globally, played pivotal roles in the team's triumph last season.

While MI lacked a standout fast bowler in the previous season, the acquisition of Shabnim Ismail addresses this weakness. However, concerns linger over the Indian pace bowlers. Pooja Vastrakar, a seasoned Indian bowler, only bowled four overs in the 2023 WPL. Amarjot Kaur, another Indian pacer, adds depth, but her role in crucial situations remains uncertain. 

UP Warriorz: Striking a Balance

UP Warriorz, aiming to bounce back from their elimination in the WPL 2023, have meticulously crafted their squad for the upcoming season, with key players Alyssa Healy, Deepti Sharma, and Sophie Ecclestone in the squad.  With impressive performances in domestic tournaments, Dinesh's big-hitting ability makes her a player to watch. The spin department also provides variety and depth to the bowling lineup, yet the absence of pure overseas fast-bowling options, following Ismail's exit and Bell's absence, poses a challenge.

Top 5 Most Expensive Buys of WPL Auctions 2024

The 2024 Women's Premier League (WPL) auction was a spectacle of fervor and strategic prowess, captivating cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Hosted in Mumbai on December 9, 2023, this event witnessed an intense battle among franchises vying to secure the crème de la crème of talent for their respective teams. With a total of 165 players up for grabs and only 30 coveted slots across the franchises, the stakes were high, resulting in unprecedented financial commitments.

1. Annabel Sutherland, The Australian Dynamo (INR 2 Crore)

Leading the charge in the list of record-breaking acquisitions is the Australian sensation, Annabel Sutherland. The Delhi Capitals secured her services for a staggering Rs. 2 crore, a notable ascent from her previous acquisition for Rs. 70 lakh during the 2023 auction. 

2. Kashvee Gautam: The Indian All-Round Prodigy (INR 2 Crore)

Creating waves of excitement at the WPL 2024 auction, Kashvee Gautam etched her name in history as the most expensive uncapped cricketer. The Gujarat Giants clinched the prodigious all-rounder for a colossal Rs. 2 crore. Gautam's recent stellar performance with the India A team against England A, where she scalped three crucial wickets, shows her immense potential. 

3. Vrinda Dinesh - Karnataka's Powerhouse (INR 1.3 Crore)

UP Warriorz made a statement by acquiring the powerful batting prowess of Vrinda Dinesh for Rs. 1.3 crore. Hailing from Karnataka, Dinesh's reputation as a hard-hitting cricketer precedes her, particularly from her stellar performances in the domestic Senior Women’s One-Day competition.

4. Shabnim Ismail - The South African Speedster (INR 1.2 Crore)

The Mumbai Indians made a strategic move by acquiring the services of South African pace sensation, Shabnim Ismail, for Rs. 1.20 crore. With a formidable performance in the 2023 Women's Big Bash League, where she claimed 13 wickets in 14 matches, Ismail's experience and pace bring a new dimension to the Mumbai Indians' bowling arsenal.

5. Phoebe Litchfield - The Dynamic Australian Batter (INR 1 Crore)

The Gujarat Giants secured the explosive batting talent of Phoebe Litchfield for a substantial sum of Rs. 1 crore. The 20-year-old Australian holds the record for the joint-fastest fifty in women's T20Is, accomplishing the feat in a mere 18 balls.