Women’s Premier League is entering its third season and has expanded to four venues—I’m really excited to see how this edition pans out. The event naturally attracts the best players in the world and is a lucrative competition, but my primary focus is on the development of young Indian talent. I’m particularly interested in seeing how these emerging players are progressing and what opportunities are available for them. Of course, while it’s easy to focus on the big names when discussing teams, it’s just as important to recognize and nurture the upcoming talent.

Let’s start with Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB) who are the defending champions. When it comes to RCB, there’s some uncertainty about their starting lineup. Injuries to key players like Kate Cross, Sophie Molineux, and Sophie Devine have disrupted their late-game plans, forcing them to reorganise. On a positive note, they’ve brought in Charlie Dean, who is well-versed in spin bowling. Along with her, the team boasts a strong spin attack with Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, and Georgia Wareham, which remains one of their key strengths.

RCB also have Elyse Perry, who brings considerable strength and all-around talent to the team. With players like Risha Ghosh, one of India’s biggest hitters, and Renuka Singh Thakur—who has had a bit of a lean period in recent seasons but is still a key bowler for India—their squad has depth. Additionally, they have Danny Wyatt and Smriti Mandhana, both major players with significant experience. I think Mandhana is an outstanding cricketer and a huge asset to RCB. While they certainly have the talent, their momentum might be affected by a few injuries that have impacted their lineup.

Mumbai Indians are a strong team, having won the tournament’s inaugural year and finishing third last season. Their biggest strength is their impressive batting lineup, led by Hayley Matthews, whom I consider one of the best in the world. They also have Yastika Bhatia, who will be looking to regain form, and Harmanpreet Kaur, an outstanding player. Additionally, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr, who had a fantastic World T20, contribute to their overall strength. While their batting is a key asset, they’re also solid in other areas.

Interestingly, some of their batters are also effective bowlers—Kerr, Sciver-Brunt, Matthews can collectively bowl around 10 to 12 overs, which creates a nice balance. However, their primary concern lies with the ball, especially the new ball. Pooja Vastrakar and Amanjot Kaur will be crucial in that department. Overall, their main strength is clearly their batting, with a particularly strong top order.

Delhi Capitals, led by captain Meg Lanning, is experiencing some form issues. Key player Alice Capsey isn’t at her best right now, which is unfortunate but could also serve as an opportunity for her to rediscover her peak form. Additionally, they might consider playing Sarah Bryce—a Scottish player who joined the Big Bash. Although she hasn’t performed as well as hoped so far, she’s gaining valuable franchise experience. Since she hails from an associate nation, Delhi is allowed to field up to five overseas players, which could help balance their side.

They have a strong lineup with Annabel Sutherland, Lanning, and Marizanne Kapp—arguably among the top three players. Even though Lanning no longer plays internationally, her presence remains impressive. With the addition of Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma, who will be eager to regain her best form after being overlooked by India, the Lanning-Verma partnership at the top will be absolutely crucial.

Gujarat Giants are looking for a better season as they have made a leadership change. While Beth Mooney remains in the squad, Ash Gardner has now taken over as the permanent captain—a role she briefly filled at the end of the previous tournament. They also boast an outstanding overseas contingent with players like Laura Wolvaardt and Phoebe Litchfield. With Mooney and Gardner both in excellent form—evidenced by Gardner’s recent series—the team is looking strong heading into the tournament. 

I’m really looking forward to seeing Simran Shaikh in action for the Gujarat Giants. Her powerful hitting and high strike rate are sure to boost the batting lineup. Additionally, the signing of Deandra Dottin will further enhance the team’s power and batting prowess.

UP Warriorz have made a great signing by bringing in Alana King, one of the top bowlers in this format. Paired with Sophie Ecclestone in the middle overs, they form a potent bowling threat. Tahlia McGrath and Chamari Athapaththu  are expected to boost the batting. However, the team is missing Alyssa Healy due to injury, which has impacted their lineup. With Deepti Sharma now captaining the side, UP Warriorz will be eager to overcome recent inconsistencies and put together a strong run in the tournament.

Moving on to the young talents, I’m really eager to see how some of these under-19 stars progress. I watched many games during the U-19 T20 World Cup, and a few players particularly caught my eye. One standout is G Kamalini from Mumbai. Charlotte Edwards, the astute coach known for her keen eye in selecting talent, has invested heavily in this young keeper-batter. At just 16 years old, Kamalini has already shown an elegant, wristy style with plenty of power as a left-hander, and she made a notable impact at the junior World Cup. Edwards’s decision to back her is a testament to her talent, and I have great hope for both Kamalini and the Mumbai Indians.

Shabnam Shakeel is another young bowler to watch. At just 17, she bowls fast and hits the bat hard, though she’s still a bit raw. She had a standout performance last year, taking 3 for 11 against the Warriorz. She’s someone to follow closely, though there’s no pressure to expect too much yet as we watch her development in a great environment. Another promising player is Joshitha V J, of RCB. She impressed during the World Cup, swinging the ball both ways with decent pace—a style reminiscent of Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. Joshitha is an emerging bowler with a lot of potential. While she may not be in contention for the national team just yet, I have high hopes that she will develop into a key player. 

Lastly, Gongadi Trisha didn’t get picked up in the draft, so she won’t be playing in the tournament. However, she had an excellent Under-19 World Cup, so if any opportunities arise due to injuries, she could still make an impact. Keep an eye on her in case things change down the line. 

I believe this tournament will be the most fiercely competitive in our league’s short history. As teams uncover each other’s strengths and weaknesses, they will refine their strategies and master the intricacies of the game. What excites me the most is the emergence of promising young talents.