The excitement is palpable as the Women’s Premier League 2023 (WPL) gears up for its highly anticipated opener. The clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Giants (GUJ) at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai promises to be a thrilling battle, as both teams boast some of the most talented players in the women’s cricket arena.
As the WPL aims to revolutionize women’s cricket, fans are eagerly waiting to witness the big names of the sport taking the field. With the tournament being held at only two venues, the stage is set for some high-octane cricketing action.
The opening match is expected to witness some explosive batting, as both teams look to make a statement in the tournament. The pitch at DY Patil Stadium is likely to favor the batters, adding to the excitement.
As we count down to the match, Cricreads bring you a list of three cricketers to watch out for, who could score the most runs in the match.
1) Nat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians)
Nat Sciver-Brunt, the joint-most expensive overseas player (₹3.20 crore) at the WPL 2023 auction, is a force to be reckoned with. She comes into the tournament on the back of a sensational performance at the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, where she ended up with the best batting average and the best batting strike rate among batters who scored more than 100 runs.
Her inclusion in the MI middle-order is expected to bolster their lineup and pose a significant challenge to the GGT bowlers.
Also Read: Probable Playing 11 of MIW vs GUJW
2) Harmanpreet Kaur (Mumbai Indians)
India’s star captain Harmanpreet Kaur needs no introduction, and she will be the one to watch out for in the opening match. The middle-order dynamo was India’s best batter in their semi-final clash against Australia, where she played an exceptional knock before an unfortunate run-out.
Kaur’s ability to hit towering sixes at will makes her a threat to any opposition, and she will be determined to make an impact in front of her home crowd.
Read More: Pitch Report of Match 1
3) Beth Mooney (Gujarat Giants)
Beth Mooney, the player of the match in the finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, is one of the most accomplished batters in women’s cricket. The Australian opener has a reputation for being a big-match player, and her impressive performance in the World Cup final is a testament to her abilities.
With GGT lacking star Indian batters, Mooney will be expected to lead from the front and play a crucial role in their batting lineup.
As the opening match of the WPL 2023 promises to be a high-scoring encounter, fans can expect these three batters to make a significant impact and lead their teams to victory.