Shreyanka Patil set to become first Indian to feature in Women's Caribbean Premier League

Young India off-spinner Shreyanka Patil has scripted history, becoming the first Indian to feature in the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL). The 20-year-old was roped in by Guyana Amazon Warriors for the upcoming season, which is scheduled to take place from August 31 to September 10.

Patil earned the contract to play in the WCPL following her brilliant performances in the recently concluded Women's Emerging Asia Cup in Hong Kong. She picked up nine wickets in two games for India A and emerged as the Player of the Tournament. Notably, India clinched the Women's Emerging Asia Cup title after a comfortable 31-run win over Bangladesh A in the final. 

Patil was one of the standout performers for Royal Challengers Bangalore Women (RCB-W) in the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL), despite their dismal performance in the tournament. The 20-year-old grabbed six wickets from seven matches at an average of 32.00 and an economy rate of 9.84 for RCB.

Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allows women cricketers to take part in overseas leagues. Several top players like India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh have previously participated in the franchise leagues like the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia and The Hundred in England.

The Women's Caribbean Premier League features three teams- Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, and the Trinbago Knight Riders. The competition will feature West Indies players such as Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, and Stafanie Taylor. In addition to them, there will be players from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and India.

Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Fran Jonas, all from New Zealand, will feature in the tournament. Laura Harris and Amanda-Jade Wellington, both Australians, will also take part in the tournament. South Africa cricketers Dane van Niekerk, Mignon de Preez, and Shabnim Ismail will join them.