WPL 2023: MI-W vs GUJ-W 1st Match – Predicted Mumbai Indian Women Playing XI vs Gujarat Giants Women

Harmanpreet Kaur. (Photo Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The historic inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is all set to captivate the spectators when Mumbai Indians take on the Gujarat Giants in the curtain raiser at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy on Saturday, March 4.

It is expected to be an enthralling affair as both sides feature some of the world’s best cricketers in their line-up. The onus will be on the Mumbai-based franchise to replicate the achievements of their male counterparts in the Indian Premier League. Although there isn’t much to separate the two teams, Harmanpeet Kaur’s side are the favourites heading into the contest.

Here’s Mumbai Indians predicted XI for the first match against Gujarat Giants:

Openers – Yastika Bhatia (wk), Hayley Matthews

Harmanpreet Kaur’s side has got a perfect balance of youth and experience at the top of the order with Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews likely to open the batting for the Mumbai-based outfit. While Yastika Bhatika usually occupies the middle order in the national team, the wicketkeeper-batter is no stranger to opening the innings.

Meanwhile, her senior opening partner, Hayley Matthews has got a wealth of experience in opening the batting for the Windies in international cricket. The Windies skipper’s hard-hitting capabilities at the top of the order will hold the key for the Mumbai Indians.

Middle order – Amelia Kerr, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c)

Mumbai Indian’s biggest strength lies in their middle order, which boasts of some of the most coveted players in the women’s game. New Zealand’s eye-pleasing stroke maker Amelia Kerr is more than likely to come in at her favoured no. 3 position. Kerr has been a revelation for her national side ever since making her debut and will be one of the players to look out for in the tournament.

While Kerr will be handed the responsibility of keeping the runs flowing in the middle overs, two of the world crickets’ most fearsome all-rounders, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur, will be bossing the latter stages of the match. The duo are not only capable of clearing the boundaries but are also well adept at dealing with tricky situations for their side.

All-rounders – Chloe Tryon, Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar

The batting prowess of the Mumbai-based franchise does not end with their skipper as they possess some powerful hitters down the order. South Africa’s Chloe Tryon, who endured the heartbreak of losing the T20 World Cup final against Australia recently, will be looking to make amends in the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League.

India’s Pooja Vastrakar will be accompanying Tryon in the lower middle order. The hard-hitting all-rounder has been erratic with her performances off late and will be hoping for a memorable WPL. Following the two seasoned international players, Amanjot Kaur is another player who will be looking to enhance her reputation as an all-rounder in the competition. She became an overnight sensation after her match-winning performance against South Africa on her international debut and has all the skills to become a regular in the national team.

Bowlers –  Issy Wong, Sonam Yadav, Saika Ishaque

A long-time Mumbai Indians fan, Issy Wong could not believe being part of the franchise after she was roped in the auction earlier this year. The charismatic English pacer is just 20 years old and has already featured for the national team in more than half a dozen matches. The WPL could prove to be the ultimate platform for her to reclaim her place in the national team.

Meanwhile, the renowned franchise could throw in a couple of unknown entities in spinners Sonam Yadav and Saika Ishaque. While Sonam is still in the nascent stages of her cricketing career, Ishaque is well-versed in plying her trade in the shortest format of the game.

Mumbai Indians playing XI: Yastika Bhatia, Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Chloe Tryon, Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, Issy Wong, Sonam Yadav, Saika Ishaque

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