Analysis
Women’s T20 League 2023: 5 Best batters to watch out for
The inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 League is all set to go underway on the 4th of March.
The inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 League is all set to go underway on the 4th of March. With the teams having selected their teams in the player auction early in February, players will look forward to being a part of the tournament. Some players were disappointed after going unsold at the auction, while others got great deals and went for large sums. In this listicle, we will have a look at some of the best batters to watch out for in the Women’s T20 League.
#5 Natalie Sciver-Brunt- Mumbai
Natalie Sciver-Brunt (source: Twitter)
Natalie Sciver of England is an athlete who catches everyone’s attention on the cricket field. She has annihilated elite bowling lineups and demonstrated her magnificent stroke play. Her incredible bowling abilities are an added advantage.
Sciver is an excellent addition to the Mumbai-based franchise because she can contribute to both divisions. She was purchased by the Mumbai franchise for INR 3.20 crores and is one of the top overseas players in the Women’s T20 League.
#4 Deandra Dottin- Gujarat
Deandra Dottin (source: Twitter)
Deandra Dottin of the West Indies is one of the game’s most formidable and energetic all-rounders. Her career has included over 6,000 runs and over 250 matches, providing Gujarat with her global experience. Dottin will provide the franchise with numerous chances to win games.
Dottin has two five-wicket hauls and five international hundreds, including an unbeaten 150, to his name. In 2010, she became the first woman to score a T20I century, doing so against South Africa in 38 balls, which remains the fastest feat by a women’s cricketer in the format.
#3 Harmanpreet Kaur- Mumbai
Harmanpreet Kaur (source: Twitter)
Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s captain, scores runs consistently despite having had a long career. The right-handed batter has amassed a significant number of T20 runs and is on the verge of reaching 3000 runs in T20 Internationals. Her experience as captain of India would be invaluable to the Mumbai franchise.
India’s captain is a smart batter who can also be handy with the ball. She has consistently performed admirably for India and has the ability to change the course of a match in a matter of overs. The 33-year-old has a wealth of experience thanks to over 270 appearances for the Indian Team and over 6,000 runs across formats.
#2 Shafali Verma- Delhi
Shafali Verma (source: Twitter)
The Delhi team paid a high price for Shafali Varma, the under-19 World Cup-winning captain. She will be looking to replicate her form from the successful U-19 World Cup in the inaugural Women’s T20 League.
The 19-year-old did not fare well in the recently concluded Women’s 20-20 World Cup, but she do her best in the WTL. She has the potential to be one of the tournament’s leading run scorers, which is why the franchise has invested in her.
#1 Smriti Mandhana- Bangalore
Smriti Mandhana (source: Twitter)
Smriti Mandhana, India’s star batter, has been Team India’s most important player in recent years, contributing to several match-winning performances. In the T20I rankings, she is currently ranked third among women batters. Mandhana was purchased for the highest price during the auction by the Bangalore team for INR 3.40 crores.
During the 2022 Commonwealth Games, she scored 159 runs in five games at an astounding strike rate of 151.42. In December last year, Mandhana broke West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor’s previous record of the most 50+ scores while chasing in women’s T20Is. The Indian batter has 12 fifty-plus scores, one more than Taylor.
