The second season of the Women’s Premier League has concluded with the Royal Challengers Bangalore lifting their maiden trophy. The Bangalore-based franchise was simply clinical in the final few games of the tournament and continued their good form right till the end to claim the coveted trophy.
The Women’s Premier League has set out to become a platform for the younger players to grow and prosper. This tournament allows the players to compete against the very best players from the sport in the shortest format of the game. However, some players did not get a single game despite being available for the side at all times. Let’s take a look at some of the players who deserved a chance during the WPL 2024.
Here are the five most deserving players who did not play a single WPL 2024 game:
5. Fatima Jaffer
Fatima Jaffer. (Photo Source: Mumbai Indians)
The young India batter was considered to be one of the future stars for the Mumbai Indians when she was purchased by the franchise at the Auctions. She is known to be a hard-working athlete who has grown in the maidans of Mumbai. Jaffer is a quality bowling all-rounder as she can trouble the batters with her slow left-arm spin and can contribute crucial runs with the bat as well.
However, the Mumbai Indians management decided not to test her out this season as she could not manage to play a single game for the franchise. Saika Ishaque, Mumbai Indians’ premium spinner did not have a great season, so it would have made sense to try out Fatima as she could have troubled the batters on the sluggish pitches in Delhi. She could be retained for the third season since she is a great option for the team.
4. Chloe Tryon
Chloe Tryon. (Photo Source: RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)
The South African team vice-captain was part of the Mumbai Indians’ squad for both the editions of the Women’s Premier League. She came into the team after being purchased in the inaugural WPL Auctions for INR 30 Lakhs. Given her ability with both bat and ball, she was destined to start. However, the Mumbai Indians management kept their faith in the trusted four foreign individuals for the longest time possible.
Despite some poor performances from the likes of Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews and Natalie Sciver-Brunt, the team was not able to slot in Chloe Tryon. The management might regret not trying out Tryon in those crucial matches of the tournament. Given the kind of form she was in, it would have been great for the side as she would have been an asset for the franchise and a great option to have in the squad.
3. Aparna Mondal
Aparna Mondal. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
The wicket-keeper batter promised to be one of the brightest sparks for the Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2024 season. Mondal was in the squad for the Delhi Capitals in the inaugural edition as well but could not manage to play a single game. Delhi Capitals bought her back for INR 10 Lakh as she was a great squad player for the franchise.
Many people expected her to start ahead of experienced Taniya Bhatia because of the latter’s lack of batting ability. Taniya Bhatia is just a specialist wicket-keeper batter which might have hampered the Delhi Capitals batting a little bit. Therefore, it would have made sense to try out Mondal for a few games and let her grow against the best players.
2. Danni Wyatt
Danni Wyatt. (Photo Source: WPL)
The England International was one of the most talked about athletes when the league was announced. However, the fans and experts were left surprised when she went unsold in the inaugural Women’s Premier League Auctions. Given the kind of expertise she possessed, it was a shock to her as well as the cricketing world.
Danni Wyatt did not lose hope and it paved off as she was snapped up by the UP Warriorz Women in the 2024 Auctions for INR 30 Lakhs. The aggressive top-order batter however could not manage to make her debut in the tournament. She could have been given a chance alongside Allysa Healy and that would have given the UP Warriorz a stunning opening duo for the season but they might have missed a trick by not doing that.
1. Kate Cross
Kate Cross. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Before the Women’s Premier League 2024 Auction, a lot of hype was around Kate Cross and which team might go for her. Royal Challengers Bangalore fittingly bought the all-rounder services for INR 30 Lakh. She has been a lifelong Chennai Super Kings fan but was excited to be part of their biggest rivals’ squad for the 2024 season. The England pacer was part of the commentary panel during the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League as she went unsold in the auctions.
Due to her stunning performances in international cricket, the Bangalore-based franchise decided to purchase her. Given her expertise in almost all formats of the game, it was expected that Kate Cross might get a game for the season two winners but that wasn’t the case. She might be retained for the third season because of the kind of experience she possesses.