WPL First ever Season will begin from today, 4th March; 5 Teams will play 20 leagues in 23 days

Welcome to the exciting world of Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023! This groundbreaking cricket tournament is set to commence on March 4, 2023, and promises to be a thrilling event spanning 23 action-packed days. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the tournament, including the schedule, teams, captains, strengths, weaknesses, and much more. So, let's dive in and explore the fascinating world of WPL 2023!

WPL Schedule
The WPL 2023 season will unfold over 23 days of intense cricketing action. The tournament will feature five teams competing in a total of 20 league matches and two knockout games. The inaugural match will kick off at 7:30 PM on March 4th, with Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants battling it out at Mumbai's D Y Patil Stadium. All 22 matches will be held at the iconic D Y Patil and Brabourne Stadiums.

The league stage will run from March 4th to March 21st, during which each team will play two matches against each other, resulting in 20 enthralling encounters. The team finishing in first place will secure a direct spot in the final, while the second and third-placed teams will face off in an eliminator match on March 24th. The grand finale is scheduled for March 26th at the Brabourne Stadium, where the top two teams will battle for ultimate glory.

Throughout the 17-day league stage, several exciting double-header matches are scheduled. On the 5th, 18th, 20th, and 21st of March, fans can relish four back-to-back matches, with the first match starting at 3:30 PM and the second at 7:30 PM. All other matches, except for the rest days on the 17th and 19th of March, due to the IND-AUS men's one-day series tournaments, will commence at 7:30 PM.

5 Teams of WPL 2023 Season
WPL 2023 will witness the participation of five highly competitive teams, each led by talented captains. Let's take a closer look at the teams and their respective leaders:

Delhi Capitals (DC) - Led by Meg Lanning, the Australian cricketing sensation, Delhi Capitals is a formidable force to reckon with. Jemimah Rodrigues, an Indian cricketer, serves as the vice-captain of the team.

Mumbai Indians (MI) - Harmanpreet Kaur, the dynamic Indian cricketer, leads the Mumbai Indians. The team comprises several renowned players, ready to showcase their skills on the grand stage.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) - Smriti Mandhana, the highest bid player in the WPL auction, dons the captain's hat for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. With a star-studded lineup, RCB aims to set the tournament ablaze.

Gujarat Giants (GG) - Beth Mooney, the player of the finals in the T20 World Cup, takes charge of the Gujarat Giants. Alongside her, Ashleigh Gardner, the player of the tournament in the T20 World Cup, adds further firepower to the team.

UP Warriorz (UPW) - Alyssa Healy, the Australian wicketkeeper-batter, leads the UP Warriorz. The team boasts exceptional talents like Tahlia Mcgrath, Grace Harris, and Shabnim Ismail, who have made their mark on the international stage.

Teams Overview

Delhi Capitals (DC)
Under the leadership of Meg Lanning, Delhi Capitals is a force to be reckoned with in WPL 2023. The team comprises a well-balanced mix of six all-rounders from foreign countries and seven Indian players with international experience. Notably, five out of six overseas players have previously participated in the T20 World Cup held in South Africa. This blend of talent and experience positions Delhi Capitals as a strong contender in the tournament.

DC Full Squad 
Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shikha Pandey, Alice Capsey, Tara Norris, Radha Yadav, Marizanne Kapp, Laura Hrris, Jasia Akhter, Minnu Mani, Taniya Bhatiya, Jess Jonassen, Poonam Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Sneha Dipti, Aparna Mandal, Arundhati Reddy

Gujarat Giants (GG)
Led by Beth Mooney, the Gujarat Giants possess a formidable lineup. The team features Ashleigh Gardner, who was named the player of the tournament in the T20 World Cup. The Gujarat Giants boast a well-rounded blend of foreign batsmen, local spin bowlers, and all-rounders skilled in spin bowling. While they may face a shortage of specialized fast bowlers, their strong batting lineup compensates for this weakness.

GG Full Squad
Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Sophia Dunkley, Harleen Deol, Sneh Rana, Deandra Dottin, Sabbineni Meghana, Mansi Joshi, Dayalam Hemalatha, Georgia Wareham, Monica Patel, Sushma Verma, Tanuja Kanwar, Hurley Gala, Parunika Sisodia, Ashwani Kumari, Shabnam Shakil

UP Warriorz (UPW)
Alyssa Healy, the Australian wicketkeeper-batter, leads the UP Warriorz with a star-studded lineup. The team features Tahlia Mcgrath and Grace Harris, who have both tasted victory in the World Cup. Additionally, Shabnim Ismail, who played in the T20 World Cup final match, adds further firepower to the UP Warriorz. The team's strength lies in its skilled players who work cohesively, with the Australian batters adopting an aggressive approach while batting.

UPW Full Squad
Sophie Ecclestone, Alyssa Healy, Tahlia Mcgrath, Deepti Sharma, Shabnim Ismail, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Anjali Sarvani, Shweta Sehrawat, Parshavi Chopra, S Yashasri, Lauren Bell, Laxmi Yadav, Grace Harris, Devika Vaidya, Kiran Navgire, Simran Shaikh

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Smriti Mandhana, the explosive opener and highest bid player in the WPL auction, leads the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The team boasts several other top-notch players, including Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, and Heather Knight. RCB's batting lineup appears highly aggressive, with six overseas players capable of leading the team to victory in any circumstances. However, the absence of spinners and prominent in-home all-rounders may pose challenges for the team.

RCB Full Squad
Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Richa Ghosh, Renuka Singh, Erin Burns, Indrani Roy, Disha Kasat, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Shobana, Megan Schutt, Kanika Ahuja, Heather Knight, Preeti Bose, Dane van Niekerk, Poonam Khemnar, Komal Zanzad, Sahana Pawar

Mumbai Indians (MI)
Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian cricketing stalwart, leads the Mumbai Indians with an exceptional lineup of players. The team features overseas talents like Amelia Kerr, Nat Sciver, and Heather Graham, who possess the ability to turn any game around at any given moment. Pooja Vastrakar, the team's top all-rounder, further strengthens Mumbai Indians. While the team may lack players who can set the pace, their overall strength and experience make them a formidable opponent.

MI Full Squad
Harmanpreet Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Nat Sciver, Pooja Vastrakar, Yastika Bhatia, Heyley Matthews, Heather Graham, Isabelle Wong, Dhara Gujar, Amanjot Kaur, Saika Ishaque, Humaira Kazi, Chloe Tryon, Sonam Yadav, Priyanaka Bala, Neelam Bisht, Jitumoni Kalita

Inauguration Ceremony of WPL 2023
The grand inauguration ceremony of WPL 2023 is scheduled to commence at 6:25 PM, setting the stage for an extraordinary tournament. The toss for the opening match between the Gujarat Giants and the Mumbai Indians will take place at 7:30 PM, officially kicking off the league. Bollywood star Kiara Advani is expected to enthrall the audience with a mesmerizing performance, adding an extra touch of glamour to the event.

Conclusion
As the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023 gears up for an exhilarating start, cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly awaiting the intense battles that lie ahead. With five teams, 20 league matches, and two knockout games, this tournament promises to be a thrilling extravaganza. We've explored the schedule, teams, captains, strengths, weaknesses, and the grand inauguration ceremony to give you a comprehensive overview of what to expect from WPL 2023. Get ready to witness cricketing brilliance, fierce competition, and unforgettable moments as the finest women cricketers grace the pitch in this historic tournament.