WPL 2024: Top 5 hyped players who performed below expectations

The 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL) delivered some incredible action to cricket fans for almost a month. Following their 24-day T20 extravaganza, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) lifted the coveted trophy after beating Delhi Capitals (DC) by eight wickets in the final at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

In the competition, cricket supporters witnessed the heroics of eminent international names such as Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, and more. Like these names, some players were favourites to do big in the competition but emerged as non-performers.

Here are five hyped players who performed below expectations:

5. Ashleigh Gardner

Ashleigh Gardner. (Photo Source: Twitter/GujaratGiants)

Gujarat Giants (GG) disappointed their fans for two consecutive seasons. Their key players failed to perform consistently which ended their 2024 WPL campaign at the bottom of the points table. Ashleigh Gardner, whose responsibility was to reinforce the team in all departments of the game, looked completely out of rhythm.

With the bat, she could score only 120 runs in eight matches at a miserable strike rate of 111.11 while as a bowler, she took only seven wickets at an economy of 7.75. Ahead of the season, Gujarat supporters were expecting her to do wonders.

4. Rajeshwari Gayakwad

Rajeshwari Gayakwad. (Photo Source: Twitter/WPL)

Rajeshwari Gayakwad is one of the most experienced players in UP Warriorz. Noting her immense international career for India, UP fans were expecting her to showcase her bowling mettle and help the side lift the trophy.

Along with Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari’s role was to strengthen the team’s spin attack. However, her numbers reveal that she failed to do her job efficiently. In eight games, she scalped only six wickets at an expensive economy of 8.77.

3. Alyssa Healy

Alyssa Healy. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Warriorz skipper Alyssa Healy’s responsibility was to deliver rapid starts to her team as an opener. The Australia stalwart played eight matches and scored only 175 runs at a strike rate of 117.44. Off eight games, she failed to score in double digits thrice.

In the crucial contests against Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Giants (GG), she went back to the pavilion cheaply which became one of the reasons for UPW’s elimination from the competition. Prior to the tournament, Healy was in fine form for Australia and UP supporters were expecting her to continue the fine work for their side as well.

2. Renuka Singh

Renuka Singh ( Photo source : X / Twitter )

RCB won their maiden title under Smriti Mandhana’s captaincy but throughout the competition, their key bowler Renuka Singh struggled to be among the wickets. The speedster showed in all 10 games for Challengers and took only two wickets at an economy of 8.07.

As a regular opening bowler, her responsibility was to deliver early breakthroughs to the side but she was seen splurging runs due to her indisciplined bowling. In the final against DC, she bowled a two-over spell and leaked 28 runs. Noting her horrendous bowling, skipper Mandhana refused to give her a chance to complete her spell.

1. Hayley Matthews

Hayley Matthews ( photo source : X / Twitter )

West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews played a crucial role in MI’s trophy win in 2023. Noting her sensational all-round display in the maiden season, Mumbai supporters wanted the 25-year-old to replicate her performance this year and help their side defend the title successfully.

However, the star Caribbean player failed to be effective for MI. With the bat, she amassed ordinary numbers, scoring 180 runs in nine matches at a low strike rate of 113.20. Talking about her bowling statistics, the youngster got only seven wickets at an economy of 7.53.