(Cricket news) The 1st season of the WPL has been incredible to watch. The quality of cricket on display and the entertainment value has been top notch. Delhi Capitals have finished on top of the table which takes them straight to the finals. Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz will play the eliminator. Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore have been below par this season but next season will hopefully be more competitive.
Top 10 players of the WPL group stage:
1. Hayley Matthews – Mumbai Indians
The West Indies skipper has had an incredible WPL tournament with both bat and ball. With each WPL game it is becoming more and more surprising that Matthews went unsold in the auction initially and then later was picked up for the base price. She is the 7th highest run getter with 232 runs and the 4th highest wicket taker with 12 wickets. Her all-round brilliance is one of the main reasons why MI is in the WPL eliminator.
2. Marizanne Kapp – Delhi Capitals
Marizanne Kapp is one of the best all-rounders in the world and she has proved that in the WPL. The Proteas all-rounder has picked up 9 wickets which makes her the 8th highest wicket taker. Her consistent swing bowling has been exemplary and even though her batting hasn’t been the best she has chipped in with a few crucial knocks.
3. Meg Lanning – Delhi Capitals
Meg Lanning has shown why she is the best captain and batter in the world. Her elegant stroke play has been mesmerizing to watch in this WPL. The Australian skipper is the orange cap holder with 310 runs. Her captaincy has also been incredible as she has led her side to a top of the table finish.
4. Sophie Ecclestone – UP Warriorz
The number 1 T20 bowler in the world has done exactly what was expected from her in this tournament. Sophie Ecclestone is the purple cap holder with 14 wickets and she has been the go to bowler for UP Warriorz. The arm spinner has bowled at different phases and with the bat also she has finished a couple of games.
5. Natalie Sciver-Brunt – Mumbai Indians
The all-rounder is the 12th highest run scorer with 200 runs and she is also the 9th highest wicket taker with 9 wickets. Sciver-Brunt has shown her all-round brilliance as she has bowled in the powerplay and batted 1 down for MI. Her presence has balanced the Mumbai team perfectly.
6. Amelia Kerr – Mumbai Indians
The kiwi is the joint 2nd highest wicket taker with 13 wickets and has also chipped in with some crucial runs. She was one of the overseas players who has exceeded expectations. Kerr’s leg spin has been lethal and batting has been a big asset for Mumbai.
7. Shafali Verma – Delhi Capitals
The under 19 World Cup winning captain has done exactly what was expected from her. She has scored 241 runs which is the 6th highest in the tournament. Her big hitting has been a treat to watch and all that is just at the age of 19. The partnership between her and Meg Lanning up top has been perfect and it has elevated Shafali Verma’s game as well.
8. Shikha Pandey – Delhi Capitals
One of India’s most experienced players has shown that she has still got it. The medium pacer has 10 scalps which is the 8th highest in the tournament. Bowling in tandem with Marizanne Kapp, Pandey has led the DC attack. She hasn’t got many chances with the bat but she has the ability to do that as well.
9. Harmanpreet Kaur – Mumbai Indians
The Indian captain has scored 230 runs which makes her the 6th highest run scorer. For some reason she hasn’t been bowling which has been a surprise because she is very capable with the ball. Her batting has been explosive as usual and her captaincy has also been great.
10. Saika Ishaque – Mumbai Indians
Perhaps the biggest find of the WPL season has been Saika Ishaque. The uncapped Indian is the joint 2nd highest wicket taker with 13 wickets. Her left arm spin has managed to deceive some of the best players in the world. An immediate India call-up is looking more and more likely for her. She has bowled at different phases and done whatever her captain has asked from her
Also read: India’s recurring issues with left arm fast bowling
