Predictions by Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur on the rising fame of women's cricket ahead of WPL 2025

New Delhi: Anticipation is mounting for the upcoming third edition of the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) as the captains of all five teams recently came together for the TATA WPL Captain’s Huddle at the Star Sports Press Room. With the highly-anticipated season kicking off on February 14, 2025, the captains engaged in discussions regarding their team line-ups, game plans, and the increasing significance of the tournament in the realm of women’s cricket.

Harmanpreet Kaur: A Step Ahead for Mumbai Indians
Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of Mumbai Indians, expressed her eagerness for the new season, emphasizing the heightened competition in the tournament. Reflecting on the impact the WPL has had on Indian women’s cricket, she noted, “I’m very excited because this season, a lot of good talent has been picked by all the teams. Last season, we saw players who performed well and earned their place in the national team. This year, I expect an even more competitive tournament as domestic cricketers have prepared themselves thoroughly for this opportunity.”

Kaur also highlighted the growing evolution of domestic players, specifically pointing out the improvement in strike rates. “This season, we saw multiple 300+ run scores in domestic matches, showing a more aggressive approach. Players are working on power-hitting, fielding, and overall skill development, which is a very good thing,” she added.

Deepti Sharma: A New Era for UP Warriorz
Deepti Sharma, the newly appointed captain of UP Warriorz, spoke candidly about stepping into the shoes of Alyssa Healy, the team’s previous captain. “I am excited about captaining in the WPL. I’ve led my state team before, so I will draw from that experience. This is a different challenge, but I love challenges no matter the level,” Sharma said.

Addressing Healy’s absence, Sharma added, “Alyssa has been an integral part of the team. She led the side brilliantly in the last two seasons, and we will miss her presence. But with this opportunity, I want the team to play a strong brand of cricket. We had a good run in the first season but lost momentum last year. This time, we aim to be more consistent and put in our best performances.”

Ashleigh Gardner: Fresh Beginnings for Gujarat Giants
Gujarat Giants’ captain Ashleigh Gardner acknowledged the team’s struggles in the first two seasons but emphasized the team’s readiness for a fresh start in 2025. “The past two seasons are behind us. We can’t change that, but we can certainly focus on what’s ahead. Our coaches have instilled a fearless approach, and we have strengthened our squad with international depth and young domestic talent. We are in a strong position to perform better this year,” Gardner said.

She also spoke about the challenge of overcoming communication barriers within the diverse team: “At times, communication can be tricky. Meg Lanning might agree with me on this! But that’s where senior Indian players play a crucial role in bridging the gap and ensuring clarity. Everyone in the squad shares the same goal, so clear communication and instilling confidence in my players will be key for us.”

Smriti Mandhana: Building on Success with Royal Challengers Bangalore
Smriti Mandhana, captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore, expressed her excitement about the team’s prospects and the players to watch out for. “We had a great auction, and the domestic season was impressive in terms of overall quality. I am really excited about a few players—Prema Rawat is an amazing talent, Raghvi Bist has great potential, and Kanika Ahuja is making a comeback after an injury. I am looking forward to seeing them perform in WPL,” Mandhana said.

Addressing the absence of Sophie Devine, a key player for RCB, Mandhana explained, “Sophie Devine has been one of the best all-rounders in the world and played a key role for us. We will definitely miss her, but mental well-being is more important than anything, and we respect that. Despite injuries to key players, we will step up as a team. Playing at Chinnaswamy Stadium with RCB fans backing us is always special, and we are looking forward to that support.”

Meg Lanning: The Global Impact of WPL
Meg Lanning, the captain of Delhi Capitals, reflected on the growing recognition of women’s cricket in India and the role of the WPL in increasing its global impact. “We all know how passionate India is about cricket. The support we received last season, especially in Bangalore, was overwhelming. It’s great to see the women’s game getting this level of recognition, and a tournament like WPL plays a crucial role in growing the sport globally,” Lanning said.

Lanning also shared her thoughts on the possibility of a century being scored in the TATA WPL 2025: “I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already! I expect at least two or three centuries this season.”

When asked who she thought would score the first century of the season, Harmanpreet Kaur confidently responded, “I’ll take my name!”

The Stage is Set
The third edition of the TATA WPL will officially kick off on February 14, 2025, with a thrilling match between Gujarat Giants and defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium.

Catch all the action live on Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar, featuring an expert panel including Mithali Raj, Sanjay Manjrekar, Aakash Chopra, Saba Karim, Reema Malhotra, Veda Krishnamurthy, Sushma Verma, Aditya Tare, and more.

With anticipation reaching new heights, this year’s WPL promises to be a landmark edition, showcasing the immense talent and passion for women’s cricket across the globe.