The stage is set for the inaugural Women's Premier League set to get underway on March 07. Gujarat and Mumbai will lock horns in the first match of the brand new tournament which will be played at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. While Gujarat are being helmed by Beth Mooney, Mumbai will have Harmanpreet Kaur leading the side.
It will be an exciting tournament comprising of a total of 22 matches. With almost 24 hours to go for the first ball to bowled of WPL 2023, here is a look at the players who could fetch maximum points to those entering a Fantasy contest for this much-awaited fixture.
Wicketkeepers:
Players who bring more than one skill to the table are a bonus to any Fantasy side as they can impact the game more than more than one dimension. Wicketkeepers who bat up the order gets preference as they will stay in the game for the 20 overs from behind the stumps and have the possibility of facing the maximum number of balls as a top-order batter.
Beth Mooney, captain of Gujarat, is a big yes to the Fantasy side then. She is a safe keeper behind the wickets and looks to take the attack to the opposition with the bat inside the powerplay. Mumbai's Yatsika Bhatia also bats up the order and should be considered for a place in the Fantasy XI, available at an average of 8.5 credits.
Batters:
Even though Harmanpreet Kaur usually bats in the middle order, it would be hard to bet against her place in the Fantasy side especially after her innings under pressure in the T20 World Cup semifinal against Australia. The Mumbai captain can be a finisher and also take the match deeper if wickets fall early.
From the Gujarat side, Deandra Dottin and Sophia Dunkley are popular choices to get the nod in the Fantasy team. With this being the first match of the tournament, this Fantasy is being predicted purely on the reputation of the players and their performances in the recent past.
All-rounders:
This is perhaps the most crucial segment of the team. There will be plenty of all-rounders on display at the DY Patil Stadium on Saturday and one should ideally pick as many of them as the balance of the team allows. Based on performances in the T20 World Cup and their proven ability to change the game, the all-rounders that are chosen in this team are Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, Ashleigh Gardner and Natalie Sciver. Gardner, the Player of the Series in the World Cup, is the captain of the team.
Bowlers:
Based on the combination of this team, only 2 slots remain for the bowlers. Gujarat's Georgia Wareham should most certainly be picked given her performance in the marquee event. From Mumbai, Heather Graham, someone who is taking her initial strides in international cricket, could be given a nod.
Fantasy 11 for WPL 2023 Opener- Gujarat vs Mumbai:
Beth Mooney, Yatsika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deandra Dottin, Sophia Dunkley, Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, Ashleigh Gardner (captain), Natalie Sciver (vice-captain), Georgia Wareham, Heather Graham