A new era in Indian women’s cricket is set to unfold as the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL) makes its much-anticipated debut. Launching in the first week of June, the tournament promises a vibrant mix of seasoned stars and rising sensations, all vying for glory in the electrifying T20 format. The stage is none other than the picturesque MCA International Stadium, Pune, which will witness history in the making.
The inaugural clash sees Ratnagiri Jets take on Raigad Royals on June 5, with the match scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST. The buzz surrounding WMPL began early, with the spotlight on the inaugural auction held on April 17 in Pune. Conducted alongside the men’s auction, the event saw four franchises—Ratnagiri Jets, Raigad Royals, Pune Warriors, and Pushp Solapur—strategically assemble their squads, each led by a marquee icon player.
Squads:
Ratnagiri Jets Women
Smriti Mandhana, Gautami Naik, Dnyanda Nikam, Anushree Swami, Sakshi Kanadi, Shivali Shinde, Tejaswini Batwal, Rasika Shinde, Charmy Gawai, Bhatki Mirajkar, Priyanka Ghodke, Shruti Mahabaleshwarkar, Prerna Sawant, Tejashri Nanaware, Nidhi Shambhwani, Dnyaneshwari Patil, Sanjana Waghmode, Grisha Kataria, Bhumi Phalke, Sruhti Bhoir, Samidha Chougule, Janhavi Bokade, Nandini Sonawane, Priya Kokare
Raigad Royals Women
Kiran Navgire, Madhuri Aghav, Ayesha Shaikh, Sanjivani Pawar, Bhavika Ahire, Shravani Desai, Sneha Bhandare, Aishwarya Wagh, Pradnya Veerkar, Isha Pathare, Janhavi Veerkar, Roshni Parrdhi, Aaditi Gaikwad, Aaditi Waghmare, Yashoda Ghogare, Mehek Mulla, Ananya Chavan, Mihika Dingankar
Players to watch out:
Smriti Mandhana
A linchpin of the Indian national team and one of the finest openers in modern-day cricket, Smriti needs little introduction. After guiding Royal Challengers Bangalore to their maiden title in the Women’s Premier League earlier this 2024, she arrives in Pune as a symbol of poise and power. With 3,761 runs in 148 T20Is to her name, her presence at the top will be vital for Ratnagiri.
Kiran Navgire
Explosive and fearless, Kiran is known for her record-breaking 162* in the 2022 Women’s Senior T20 Trophy. She brings firepower to Raigad’s middle-order and has made a mark in the WPL with 419 runs in 25 matches for UP Warriorz. Her form from the recent domestic season—162 runs in 4 innings—makes her a batter to watch closely.
Pitch:
The MCA International Stadium offers a batting-friendly surface with even bounce and carry. Stroke-makers will enjoy the early overs, while pacers could find assistance through reverse swing and grip during the middle stages. Historically, the average first-innings score stands at 147, with chasing sides having a slight advantage on this ground.
Weather:
Expect partly cloudy skies on the evening of June 5, with a 40% chance of light showers that could spice things up. Temperatures are predicted around 29°C, with humidity at 73% and winds around 13 kph—ideal conditions for swing bowlers to extract movement under lights.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Bhavika Ahire, Tejaswini Batwal, Kiran Navgire, Smriti Mandhana, Sakshi Kanadi, Pradnya Veerkar, Ananya Chavan, Charmy Gawai, Isha Pathare, Yashoda Ghogare, Nandini Sonawane
Match details:
Date – June 5, 2025
Time – 07:00 PM IST
Venue – MCA International Stadium, Pune
Broadcast – JioCinema App & Sports18 Channel
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