(Cricket news) WPL 2023 has been a monumental event for women’s cricket and cricket in general. Delhi Capitals have qualified straight into the finals while Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz will play the eliminator. A lot of players have played well in the WPL but there are some that have had a disappointing tournament. The WPL is a massive tournament and the pressure factor definitely comes in for the players. Especially the domestic ones who are not used to playing in front of big crowds. 

5 players who had a disappointing WPL campaign:

5. Ashleigh Gardner

Gardner hasn’t necessarily had a bad tournament but considering the fact that she was the 2nd highest buy in the WPL she has been underwhelming. The all-rounder wasn’t able to replicate her form with Australia which is why Gujarat Giants are rock bottom on the points table. In 8 matches she picked up 10 wickets and scored 204 runs but a lot more was expected from her.

4. Deepti Sharma 

Deepti Sharma was the 3rd most expensive buy in the WPL auction. She has done decently with the ball but with the bat it has been disappointing. Even with the ball she has had a couple of expensive spells which isn’t something she does in international cricket. She has the eliminator and a potential final with the UP Warriorz to rectify her performances.

3. Heather Knight

Heather Knight was bought by RCB for the base price of just 40 lakh. At that point it looked like an absolute bargain but it hasn’t turned out to be so. The England captain could only manage 135 runs and 4 wickets in 8 matches. While her price wasn’t much, the expectations were a lot and those expectations haven’t been met. 

2. Renuka Singh Thakur

Renuka Singh Thakur has had an incredible year in international cricket where she has shown the world her ability with the ball. The WPL hasn’t gone to plan after a 1.5 crore buy by RCB. She took only 1 wicket in 6 games and had an economy of 9.54. She was eventually dropped from the side which isn’t something that is expected from India’s best seamer.

1. Smriti Mandhana

On paper RCB looked like the best team but it has been far from it this tournament. Skipper Smriti Mandhana was the most expensive buy in the WPL as RCB paid 3.40 Crore for her. She could only manage 149 runs in 8 matches with the highest score being 37. The pressure of captaincy has definitely played a part but now with this experience she should come next year stronger.

Also read: WPL 2023 has been disappointing in one key element