Harmanpreet Kaur and Beth Mooney. (Photo Source: Twitter)
After much anticipation and months of build-up, the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League is all set to get underway on Sunday, March 4, at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai. The home team, Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur will face off against Beth Mooney-led Gujarat Giants in the curtain raiser of the premier Women’s T20 competition in India.
Both teams will look to start their campaign on a winning note and set the tone for the rest of the season. Both Mumbai and Gujarat have several big stars of international cricket in their squads who will be eager to get the tournament off to a rollicking start.
Pitch and Conditions
The IPL matches played in 2022 and the recent women’s international matches played at the venue suggest that the pitch is going to be a high scoring one with some assistance to spinners.
In the two T20Is played at the venue between India women and Australia women, the average first innings score was 179, while the highest total recorded was 187. Hence the captain winning the toss will look to bat first and put the opposition under pressure by putting runs on the board.
Probable Playing XI for MI-W vs GUJ-W
Mumbai Indians
The team management will ponder over whether to play four overseas all-rounders in their playing XI or include someone like Isabelle Wong to reinforce their bowling attack.
Mumbai Indians predicted XI: Yastika Bhatia, Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Chloe Tryon, Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, Humaira Kazi, Sonam Yadav, Saika Ishaque
Gujarat Giants
Gujarat Giants have most of their playing XI sorted and will ponder about including international players S Meghana and D Hemalatha.
Gujarat Giants predicted XI: Beth Mooney (c & wk), Sophia Dunkley, Ashleigh Gardner, Sushma Verma, Deandra Dottin, Ashwani Kumari, Harleen Deol, Sneh Rana, Mansi Joshi, Monica Patel, Tanuja Kanwar
MI-W vs GUJ-W Broadcast & Live Streaming Details
Venue – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai
Match Timings – 7:30 PM IST
TV- Sports 18
Live Streaming- Jio Cinema app and website