WPL 2023: 5 players who can emerge as leading wicket-takers

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

The much-awaited cricketing carnival in the form of WPL 2023 began with the opener played between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Giants (GG) at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai. In the tournament, all eyes will be set on some bowlers who performed brilliantly in the recently concluded 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

In the cash-rich league, their franchises will expect them to continue their form and help them become successful in lifting the trophy on March 26, 2023. The records show that these bowlers dominate the international arena with their efficient bowling and now, in the T20 extravaganza, will strive to do the same, utilising their skills and experience to emerge as impactful players.

Here are 5 players who can emerge as leading wicket-takers in the inaugural edition of the league

5. Shabnim Ismail

Shabnim Ismail (SAF). (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Shabnim Ismail is the most experienced player in the current South Africa squad. In her 16 years of T20I career, she has taken 123 wickets for South Africa in 113 games at an economy of 5.77. Her immense international experience grabbed the attention of UP Warriorz (UPW) as the franchise signed her at INR 1 crore in the Player Auction.

In the league, the veteran’s role will be crucial for her franchise. With her experience and talent, she will lead the spin attack of the Warriorz. The 34-year-old will get the support of India’s Deepti Sharma and England’s Sophie Ecclestone as well to reinforce the bowling unit.

Recently, she looked impressive for her national team in the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The 34-year-old grabbed eight wickets in six matches at an economy of 5.86 and became the second-leading wicket-taker for her team in the competition.

4. Georgia Wareham

Georgia Wareham (Photo Source: MARCO LONGARI/AFP via Getty Images)

Georgia Wareham has showcased her mettle many times in the five years of her international career. So far, the talented spinner has clinched 42 wickets for Australia in 40 T20Is at an economy of 5.95. The leggie has vast experience in league cricket too as she plays her country’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).

In WBBL, the 23-year-old is a part of the Melbourne Renegades Women since 2015 and has scalped 34 wickets in 64 contests. Noting her record in the T20 form of the sport, GG invested INR 75 lakh to sign her for the maiden WPL edition. The youngster will now look to deliver her best and become a notable name in the league.

In India, the turning surfaces will help her to get hold of batters using her lethal leg-spin bowling. Adding to that, she will also get the assistance of India’s Sneh Rana. Before participating in the mega T20 league, she represented her country in the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and contributed with six wickets in five T20Is at an economy of 6.75.

3. Renuka Singh

Renuka Thakur. (Photo by Jan Kruger-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Renuka Singh has become an essential figure in the Indian cricket team due to her disciplined bowling. Since 2021, she is active in international cricket and has notched up 31 wickets for the nation in 32 T20Is at an economy of 6.43. In the WPL, she will feature for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as the franchise bagged her at INR 1.5 crore on the auction table.

With her exceptional fast-bowling skills, Singh will look to solidify her franchise’s bowling attack in the tournament. The RCB team management will also expect her to form a lethal pace attack with Australia’s Megan Schutt and Ellyse Perry. In the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, she ended up becoming the leading wicket-taker for India with seven wickets in five T20Is.

Against Australia, she faced the heat of Indian supporters after splurging runs in death overs. In the inaugural edition of the WPL, she will go ahead with a positive approach and look forward to providing decent bowling numbers to her franchise.

2. Megan Schutt

Megan Schutt. (Photo Source: MARCO LONGARI/AFP via Getty Images)

Megan Schutt got picked at her base amount of INR 40 lakh in the 2023 Player Auction of WPL. However, going through international experience and figures, she was expected to get signed at a considerable sum but in the end, only RCB raised their paddle and included her in their WPL squad.

In RCB, she will spearhead the pace attack with her experience in the international circle. The veteran will also receive the backing of her national teammate Ellyse Perry and India’s Renuka Singh Thakur to strengthen the bowling unit.

In the recently concluded Women’s T20 World Cup, she was the joint second-highest wicket-taker, along with Ashleigh Gardner. Hunting 10 batters in six games at an economy of 6.13. These bowling numbers of Schutt will boost her confidence to show her best side for the RCB in the tournament.

1. Sophie Ecclestone

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

Before the start of the WPL season, UP Warriorz received an incredible news as one of the most significant buys Sophie Ecclestone performed exceedingly well in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup. Playing for her national team, Ecclestone displayed her efficiency in the tournament. Racking up 11 wickets in five games at a phenomenal economy of 4.15, she looked magnificent with the ball.

On quick surfaces in South Africa, Sophie used her variations and produced bounce and pace to trap batters and emerged as the most successful bowler of the competition. Earlier, in the 2023 WPL Auction in Mumbai, she received INR 1.8 crore from Warriorz to become part for the inaugural season.

Ecclestone will be one of the important players for the franchise as she has the potential to come hard on batters with her amazing left-arm spin bowling. Forming a perfect duo with Deepti Sharma, she could outsmart opponents on Indian pitches that are known as heaven for spinners.