2023: Top 5 spinners to watch out for

Sophie Ecclestone. (Photo Source: MARCO LONGARI/AFP via Getty Images)

The much-awaited Women’s Premier League (WPL) kick-started on March 4. The WPL franchises have played an exciting brand of cricket so far in the competition and the fans have witnessed some breathtaking action.

There are many quality spinners featuring in the marquee tournament who have so far been able to leave the cricket fraternity in awe of their bowling displays. However, among them, we bring to you the top five names who are likely to garner a lot of eyeballs as they take the field in the T20 carnival.

Here are the top 5 spinners to watch out for in WPL 2023

5. Asha Sobhana

Asha Sobhana is one of the dependable spinners in the Indian domestic circuit. She has numerous variations up her sleeve and batters have found her tough to tackle. The 30-year-old is a genuine wicket-taker and has displayed her bowling might on many occasions.

Sobhana has featured in 18 T20 matches and picked up 23 scalps at an economy of 4.07. Talking about the List-A format, she has bagged 30 wickets in 22 games at an economy of 2.75. Further, she is no muck with the bat and has provided some vital contributions in her List-A career so far.

Royal Challengers Bangalore liked what they saw in Sobhana and therefore, acquired her services at the WPL 2023 auction for INR 10 lakh. The Trivandrum-born would look to bring her A-game into play in the ongoing edition of the marquee tournament.

4. Saika Ishaque

Saika Ishaque has been a consistent performer in the Indian domestic circuit. The 27-year-old was impressive with her outings in the Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy 2022. She featured in two matches and picked up three wickets at an economy of 4.75.

When Ishaque’s turn arrived at the recently culminated player auction, Mumbai Indians were inclined towards adding the left-arm spinner into their WPL squad and therefore, signed her for INR 10 lakh. In the opening match of the ongoing T20 extravaganza, the Mumbai franchise drafted the Kolkata-born into their playing XI and Saika put up a show with the ball.

Ishaque strangled Gujarat with her impeccable lines and lengths and took an incredible four-wicket haul while away giving just 11 runs in 3.1 overs. The wily spinner would look to carry on the good work for Harmanpreet Kaur & Co. in the matches to come.

3. Radha Yadav

Radha Yadav has been a proven performer in the shortest format of the game. The 22-year-old has been entrusted to provide wickets at regular intervals and she has played the role to perfection. She has featured in 67 T20Is and bagged 68 wickets at an economy of 6.61.

Radha is one of the finest spinners going around in Indian cricket at the moment. Further, she is a livewire in the field. Therefore, Delhi Capitals placed bids to sign her at the auction. Finally, the Delhi franchise managed to acquire the left-arm spinner at an affordable price of INR 40 lakh.

Radha did a decent job for the Women in Blue in the recently culminated T20 World Cup 2023. She featured in four matches and bagged three wickets at an economy of 7.00. The Mumbai-born would be eager to weave her magic in the ongoing season of the Women’s Premier League.

2. Georgia Wareham

Georgia Wareham has set the international circuit ablaze with her stunning bowling displays from the time she made her Australia debut. She has represented her national side on 40 occasions in the T20 format and picked up 42 wickets at a superb economy of 5.95. When it comes to the ODIs, the ace spinner has bagged 24 wickets in 23 matches at an economy of 4.24.

The 23-year-old has spun the web around the opposition and ripped through top-quality batting line-ups. Wareham has emerged as a game-changer with the ball for the Aussies and therefore, Gujarat Giants raised their paddles to sign her at the WPL 2023 auction for INR 75 lakh.

Wareham was exceptional with the ball in the T20 extravaganza in South Africa and bagged six scalps in five matches at an economy of 6.75. She would look to replicate the same for the Gujarat franchise in the Women’s Premier League 2023.

1. Sophie Ecclestone

Sophie Ecclestone has been a prominent figure in the international arena. She has featured in 55 ODIs and bagged 87 wickets at an economy of 3.68. Coming to the T20 format, the 23-year-old has picked up 97 scalps in 70 matches at an excellent economy of 5.76.

Ecclestone is a match-winner with the ball and has dismantled batting line-ups for fun. She has displayed her prowess on even the docile surfaces and stamped her authority on the cricket field. Moreover, she is quite handy and has played crucial knocks slotting in lower down the order. Therefore, UP Warriorz went hammer and tongs to sign Sophie and grabbed her for INR 1.8 crore.

The England spinner has been in a rich vein of form of late. In the T20 World Cup 2023, Ecclestone took 11 wickets in five matches at a magnificent economy of 4.15. She is at the top of her game and could take the WPL 2023 by storm with her bowling displays.

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