3 reasons why Gujarat Giants Women can win inaugural WPL season

The inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) commenced on March 4. All of the five franchises have given their all to ace the high-profile competition and fans have been blessed with some exhilarating action on the cricket field. Gujarat Giants did not have a great start to their campaign as they succumbed to two consecutive defeats. But they have gotten back to winning ways by trumping Royal Challengers Bangalore by 11 runs in their third game.

The Gujarat franchise has a well-rounded squad, with a nice blend of youth and experience, and can ride on the winning momentum to go all the way in the T20 extravaganza. Let us look at the reasons which make them a title contender.

3 reasons why Gujarat Giants Women can win the inaugural WPL season

3. Sophia Dunkley- The power-packed England superstar

Sophia Dunkley has been a proven performer in the international arena. She is known to play an aggressive brand of cricket and has put bowling attacks under the pump with her marauding bat. On her day, the 24-year-old has inflicted carnage on even the best of bowlers and stamped her authority on the cricket field.

Dunkley has represented her national side on 28 ODIs in the 50-over format and notched up 746 runs at a strike rate of 85.25. Coming to the shortest format, the ace batter has aggregated 652 runs in 44 matches at a strike rate of 117.68. Witnessing her batting exploits, Gujarat Giants roped her for the 2023 season of the Women's Premier League.

In the encounter against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dunkley put up an exhibition of her swashbuckling stroke play and dismantled the opposition’s bowling attack, plundering 65 runs off mere 28 deliveries. She has looked in pristine touch and could lead way with the bat for Gujarat Giants in WPL 2023.