RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana (L) with Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. Photo: X | RCBIANS Official RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana (L) with Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. Photo: X | RCBIANS Official

As the much-anticipated third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025una game approaches, captains from all five franchises gathered at the Star Sports Press Room – WPL Captain’s Huddle to discuss their team compositionsuna game, challenges, and excitement for the upcoming season. (More Cricket News)

With fresh talent, new leadership, and evolving strategies, the captains shared their insights ahead of the opening match on February 14.

Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her excitement for the new season and acknowledged the league’s significant role in shaping domestic talent.

“I am very excited because this season, a lot of good talent has been picked by all the teams. Last season, we saw players who performed well and earned their place in the national team. This year, I expect an even more competitive tournament as domestic cricketers have prepared themselves thoroughly for this opportunity.”

Speaking on the development of domestic players, she added, “One noticeable improvement in domestic cricket has been the strike rates of batters. This season, we saw multiple 300+ run scores in domestic matches, showing a more aggressive approach. Players are working on power-hitting, fielding, and overall skill development which is a very good thing.”

On Tuesday, deep inside Chinese Mongolia, the Harmanpreet Singh-led Men in Blue did just about enough to beat a spirited Chinese side. The occasion: the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024.

India, the most successful team in the competition, now have five titles, including back-to-back triumphs in 2023 and 2024. The victory adds to their bronze medal secured at the Paris Olympic Games last month.

Newly appointed UP Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma spoke about stepping into the leadership role and the responsibility of filling in for Alyssa Healy.

“I am excited about captaining in the WPL. I have led my state team before, so I will draw from that experience. This is a different challenge, but I love challenges no matter the level.”

Addressing Healy’s absence, Deepti said, “Alyssa has been an integral part of the team. She led the side brilliantly in the last two seasons, and we will miss her presence. But with this opportunity, I want the team to play a strong brand of cricket. We had a good run in the first season but lost momentum last year. This time,okjl casino we aim to be more consistent and put in our best performances.”

Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner acknowledged her team’s struggles in the previous seasons but emphasized a fresh approach in 2025.

“The past two seasons are behind us. We can’t change that, but we can certainly focus on what’s ahead. Our coaches have instilled a fearless approach, and we have strengthened our squad with international depth and young domestic talent. We are in a strong position to perform better this year.”

She also touched upon the challenge of communication within a diverse squad, saying, “At times, communication can be tricky. Meg Lanning might agree with me on this! But that’s where senior Indian players play a crucial role in bridging the gap and ensuring clarity. Everyone in the squad shares the same goal, so clear communication and instilling confidence in my players will be key for us.”

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Smriti Mandhana spoke about the team’s strong squad and the exciting young talents to watch out for.

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“We had a great auction, and the domestic season was impressive in terms of overall quality. I am really excited about a few players—Prema Rawat is an amazing talent, Raghvi Bist has great potential, and Kanika Ahuja is making a comeback after an injury. I am looking forward to seeing them perform in WPL.”

On Sophie Devine’s absence, she stated, “Sophie Devine has been one of the best all-rounders in the world and played a key role for us. We will definitely miss her, but mental well-being is more important than anything, and we respect that. Despite injuries to key players, we will step up as a team. Playing at Chinnaswamy Stadium with RCB fans backing us is always special, and we are looking forward to that support.”

Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning shared her thoughts on the overwhelming support for women’s cricket in India and WPL’s impact on the global stage.

“We all know how passionate India is about cricket. The support we received last season, especially in Bangalore, was overwhelming. It’s great to see the women’s game getting this level of recognition, and a tournament like WPL plays a crucial role in growing the sport globally.”

On the possibility of a century being scored in WPL 2025, she confidently predicted, “I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already! I expect at least two or three centuries this season.”

Harmanpreet Kaur, when asked who she thinks will score the first century in WPL history, boldly responded, “I’ll take my name!”

The third edition of the WPL begins on February 14, 2025, with the Gujarat Giants facing off against defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium.