The 2024 Women’s Premier League is set to commence on February 23 with a rematch of last year’s final between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. The likes of Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and more are expected to put on an astounding display of their prowess in the second edition of the WPL.
The overseas players will also be keen to leave a mark in the subcontinent ahead of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Hence, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top five overseas players in the 2024 Women’s Premier League:
#5 Beth Mooney (Gujarat Giants)
The last edition of the WPL was unfortunate for Beth Mooney as she was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury in the first match. Mooney, who was the chosen skipper for the Gujarat Giants, suffered a calf strain in their season opener after playing only three deliveries as the opening batter and Sneh Rana was later named the captain of the side in the place of Mooney.
However, Gujarat Giants had a miserable campaign in 2023 as they only managed to win two out of their eight matches. Moreover, they also ended their campaign in the last spot with only four points and a negative net run rate.
Positively, the Australian wicketkeeper-batter has made her comeback and she will be leading the Giants in the 2024 WPL. Mooney has also recently overtook compatriot Tahlia Mcgrath in ICC Women’s Rankings to get the top spot in the T20I batting. Hence, Gujarat Giants fans will be expecting a lot from the Aussie batter.
#4 Ellyse Perry (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Ellyse Perry was Royal Challengers Bangalore’s second-highest run-scorer last season
Another Australian batter in the list, Ellyse Perry will be playing a crucial role in the batting line-up of Royal Challengers Bangalore alongside India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. During the 2023 WPL campaign, Perry scored 253 runs in eight innings as she was the joint seventh-highest run scorer of the tournament alongside UP Warriorz’s Alyssa Healy.
The Royal Challengers only managed to win two matches last season, which was a sorrowful performance for a team with such star power. Hence, Perry’s experience will be important for RCB in the 2024 Women’s Premier League.
#3 Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz)
Despite taking 16 wickets, Sophie Ecclestone closely missed out on the purple cap during the last edition of the WPL as Mumbai Indians won the prestigious silverware. Nevertheless, the English bowler would be looking forward to winning the prize and getting redemption in the upcoming edition of the Women’s Premier League.
Ecclestone is currently the World No. 1 bowler in ICC Women’s Rankings in T20I as well as ODI. Last year, she had shoulder surgery, however, Ecclestone made her comeback in December 2023. Hence, England’s No. 1-ranked white-ball spinner will be awaiting new challenges on the Indian grounds in the 2024 WPL.
#2 Hayley Matthews (Mumbai Indians)
Hayley Matthews won the Purple cap in WPL 2023 with 16 wickets
Hayley Matthews enjoyed a stellar campaign last season with Mumbai Indians in the WPL. She was the Purple Cap winner with 16 wickets in 10 matches, leaving behind the likes of Sophie Ecclestone. Alongside Amelia Kerr, Issy Wong, and Saika Ishaque, the West Indies all-rounder ruled all the bowling statistics of the 2023 WPL, eventually winning the title too.
In addition to that, she was also present on the orange cap list at the fifth spot with 271 runs in ten matches, with her highest score being 77 runs. Moreover, she’s also the current World no. 1 all-rounder in the ICC Women’s T20I Rankings, ahead of her Mumbai Indians teammate Amelia Kerr, who holds the second rank.
The West Indies all-rounder has everything that is required to be a lethal threat for all the opposition teams. Hence, it’s fair to expect a thrilling title defence from the defending champions in the 2024 Women’s Premier League.
#1 Meg Lanning (Delhi Capitals)
Australian veteran Meg Lanning, who announced her retirement from international cricket last November will be leading Delhi Capitals as their skipper in the second consecutive edition of the WPL. Lanning is regarded as one of the finest batters in the history of women’s cricket.
She has bagged 3405 runs in a total of 132 matches in her T20I career. Moreover, the former Australian captain also secured the 2023 WPL Orange Cap with 345 runs in nine games. Lanning has also guided the Australian women’s cricket team to international glory on several occasions.
During the 2024 WPL Auction, the Capitals also signed Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland for a price of ₹2 crore, which will provide more firepower to the side. Hence, the Capitals will be looking forward to helping the former Australian captain add another feather of greatness to her hat.