'Great to see women’s cricket getting this level of recognition' - Meg Lanning on WPL’s growing popularity

On the eve of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, captains from all five franchises gathered at the WPL Captain’s Huddle. Speaking ahead of the tournament, they shared their insights on team compositions, key challenges, and their excitement for the season.

Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her excitement for the new season and highlighted the significant impact WPL has had on Indian Women’s Cricket.

“I am very excited because this season, a lot of good talent has been picked by all the teams. Last season, we saw players who performed well and earned their place in the national team. This year, I expect an even more competitive tournament as domestic cricketers have prepared themselves thoroughly for this opportunity," Kaur said at Star Sports Press Room.

Speaking on the evolution of domestic players in WPL, she added: “One noticeable improvement in domestic cricket has been the strike rates of batters. This season, we saw multiple 300+ run scores in domestic matches, showing a more aggressive approach. Players are working on power-hitting, fielding, and overall skill development which is a very good thing.”

Newly appointed UP Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma spoke about her leadership role and the responsibility of filling in the shoes of Alyssa Healy.

“I am excited about captaining in the WPL. I have led my state team before, so I will draw from that experience. This is a different challenge, but I love challenges no matter the level.”

On the absence of Alyssa Healy, Deepti added: “Alyssa has been an integral part of the team. She led the side brilliantly in the last two seasons, and we will miss her presence. But with this opportunity, I want the team to play a strong brand of cricket. We had a good run in the first season but lost momentum last year. This time, we aim to be more consistent and put in our best performances.”

Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner acknowledged the team’s struggles in the last two seasons but emphasized a fresh approach for the upcoming edition.

“The past two seasons are behind us. We can’t change that, but we can certainly focus on what’s ahead. Our coaches have instilled a fearless approach, and we have strengthened our squad with international depth and young domestic talent. We are in a strong position to perform better this year.”

She also spoke about the challenge of overcoming the language barrier: “At times, communication can be tricky. Meg Lanning might agree with me on this! But that’s where senior Indian players play a crucial role in bridging the gap and ensuring clarity. Everyone in the squad shares the same goal, so clear communication and instilling confidence in my players will be key for us.”

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Smriti Mandhana shared her thoughts on her team’s composition and players to watch out for.

“We had a great auction, and the domestic season was impressive in terms of overall quality. I am really excited about a few players—Prema Rawat is an amazing talent, Raghvi Bist has great potential, and Kanika Ahuja is making a comeback after an injury. I am looking forward to seeing them perform in WPL.”

On the absence of Sophie Devine, Mandhana said: “Sophie Devine has been one of the best all-rounders in the world and played a key role for us. We will definitely miss her, but mental well-being is more important than anything, and we respect that. Despite injuries to key players, we will step up as a team. Playing at Chinnaswamy Stadium with RCB fans backing us is always special, and we are looking forward to that support.”

Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning spoke about the reception women’s cricket has received in India and the growing global impact of WPL.

“We all know how passionate India is about cricket. The support we received last season, especially in Bangalore, was overwhelming. It’s great to see the women’s game getting this level of recognition, and a tournament like WPL plays a crucial role in growing the sport globally.”

On the possibility of a century being scored in the WPL2025, Lanning predicted: “I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already! I expect at least two or three centuries this season.”

Harmanpreet Kaur, on being asked who she thinks will score the first century for WPL, confidently said: “I’ll take my name!”