When the Women’s Premier League (WPL) begins, India’s female cricketers will not only receive much-needed exposure to take their game to the next level, but they will also enjoy the benefits of a cash-rich tournament. The 21-match tournament will begin on Saturday, with Gujarat Giants taking on India captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s Mumbai Indians. Harmanpreet Kaur, the current India captain, has been given command of a star-studded MI team. Kaur hopes that the competition will assist India in closing the gap with Australia and England.
“I think this is a great platform for all Indian players because we have been missing this tournament for a long time,” she had said during a virtual media interaction on Wednesday. “Definitely for Australia and England the WBBL and Hundred have worked very well and after those tournaments they’ve got so much young talent. “After the WPL we are also going to get some good talent and I’m sure the difference you’re talking about [between India and Australia sides] we’d love to cut down. When you see good talent coming up, you’re definitely going to make a good team after the WPL,” she added.
Mithali is overjoyed to be a mentor.
Former India captain Mithali Raj is also a stalwart figure in the Gujarat Giants’ camp as a mentor and advisor. She expressed her joy at the promise which WPL brings. “I’m just happy that it has come to a point where women’s cricket now is a sustainable sport on its own for young girls in India. Not just in India, even club cricketers abroad in two-three years’ time,” Gujarat Giants Mithali said.