The Inaugural edition of WPL received an encouraging amount of support from the fans in terms of showing up in large numbers, as well as the digital viewership peaked at new heights right through the season for a women’s game in the country.
A few new superstars emerged as the Inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League went along. The likes of Saika Ishaque, Tanuja Kanwar, Tara Norris, Shreyanka Patil, Minu Manni, Disha Kasat, etc are some of the players who made the world take notice of their talent by displaying glimpses of their skills in the amount of opportunities they were given. A few of them also went on to represent India at the international level.
It’s time to gear up for the 2nd edition of the Women’s Premier League which promises to be another roller-coaster ride for unearthing new superstars from various corners of the country.
Top 5 Players to watch out for in WPL 2024
Chamari Atthapattu
Despite being initially unsold in the WPL 2024 auction, she was later picked as a replacement for Lauren Bell. A seasoned T20 cricketer, Chamari Athapaththu has a remarkable T20I career with 122 matches. In 2023, she scored 470 runs with an impressive striking rate, hitting 15 sixes—a personal record in Women’s T20Is.
The second-highest run-scorer in the Women’s Big Bash League 2023, Athapaththu amassed 552 runs in 14 innings at an average of 42.46 and also took 9 wickets for the Sydney Thunder. Acknowledged for her long-standing contribution to T20I cricket, she was honored with the Weber WBBL|09 Player of the Tournament at the Australian Cricket Awards 2024, showcasing her impactful stint as a replacement player in the WBBL.
Hailing from Sri Lanka, Chamari Atthapattu is a dynamic all-rounder known for her explosive batting and effective bowling. With a wealth of international experience, Atthapattu is expected to bring her flair and cricketing intelligence to the WPL 2024 for UP Warrioz. Her ability to anchor an innings or play aggressive strokes makes her a versatile player to watch out for.
Amelia Kerr
Amelia Kerr, the young sensation from New Zealand, has already made waves in international cricket with her outstanding performances. A leg-spinning all-rounder, Kerr’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes her a valuable asset. Her composure under pressure and knack for picking up crucial wickets could prove decisive in shaping the destiny of her team in WPL 2024.
Amelia Kerr showcased an outstanding all-round performance, earning the Player of the Match award in the Super Smash final. With 437 runs at an impressive average of 72.83 and 20 wickets at an average of 8.95, Kerr played a pivotal role in Wellington Blaze’s triumph, securing their 8th Super Smash title.
Phoebe Litchfield
Phoebe Litchfield, the young sensation, made headlines at the 2024 WPL auction, fetching a notable price of INR 1 crore (USD 120,000 approx) from Gujarat Giants.
Her cricketing journey gained attention when, at the age of 16, a viral video showcased her exceptional cover drives at the New South Wales Nets in 2019. Known for memorable knocks in domestic leagues and the WBBL, Litchfield also impressed with the joint-fastest fifty in T20Is against West Indies. Playing for Sydney Thunder in the WBBL and displaying excellence in the Women’s Hundred, Litchfield’s versatile performances mark her as a rising star in women’s cricket.
Phoebe Litchfield, the Australian batting prodigy, is set to grace the WPL stage with her exceptional talent. Known for her elegant stroke play and the ability to anchor an innings, Litchfield’s presence in the tournament adds a youthful exuberance. Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing her showcase her skills and contribute significantly to her team’s success.
Titas Sadhu
Titas Sadhu, a rising star in Indian cricket, is poised to make a significant impact in WPL 2024. The right-arm seamer has been making strides with her ability to swing the ball and trouble even the most established batters. Her performances in domestic cricket have earned her a spot in the WPL, and all eyes will be on Sadhu as she aims to make a mark on the big stage.
Hailing from West Bengal, Titas Sadhu, a tall and lanky pacer, has shown immense promise with exceptional performances in international cricket. Her remarkable spell of 4-1-6-3 in the Asian Games final and consistent clutch performances, including a 3-wicket haul in a multi-nations tournament, draw parallels with legendary pacer Jhulan Goswami.
Titas’ ability to shine in high-pressure situations was evident in her T20I best of 4 for 17, helping India bounce back and secure a nine-wicket victory against Australia, making her the youngest woman to pick up a four-for for India in T20Is.
Shreyanka Patil
Shreyanka Patil, a domestic talent, is set to represent her team in the upcoming WPL. Known for her aggressive batting style and agility in the field, Patil has the potential to become the local hero of the tournament. Her ability to take on the opposition bowlers and make crucial breakthroughs with her spin bowling makes her a player to watch out for in WPL 2024.
The 21-year-old off-spinner from Bangalore Shreyanka Patil is one of the rising stars and is seen as a bright prospect for the Indian women’s cricket team. Her rise and graph in terms of growth is only going upwards. She delivered impressive performances in the India A set-up as she picked up 5 wickets in 3 innings against England A in the T20 series.
Her impressive performances earned her a debut cap for India in both white-ball formats. Her T20I debut came on 6th December 2023 against England and her ODI debut came on 30th December 2023 against Australia. She picked up 5 wickets in 3 innings in her debut T20I series against England. Her best performance with the ball in the series came on 10th December 2023 when she returned with match figures (3/19) in the 2nd T20I.
She picked up 4 wickets in 2 innings against Australia during her debut ODI series.
Her best performance with the ball in the series came on 2nd January 2024 when she returned with match figures (3/57) in the 3rd ODI against Australia. She also picked up 3 wickets in 3 innings in the T20I series against Australia. Her best performance with the ball in the series came on 5th January 2024 when she returned with match figures (2/19) in her spell in the 1st T20I.
She has been retained by RCB for the 2nd edition of the WPL and could be a game-changer for her side. She’ll definitely be the one to watch out for.
