WPL 2025 will provide key intel on Indian conditions for ODI World Cup: Delhi Capitals’ Annabel Sutherland

The thrilling T20 women's cricket carnival, Women's Premier League (WPL 2025), has thoroughly entertained the Indian crowd with some nail-biting matches. While several stars have emerged as game-changers for their respective teams, one such star has been Australia's rising all-rounder Annabel Sutherland.

Notably, the Australian has already made a name for herself on the national side with some impactful performances across all formats, and she is proving her worth for her WPL franchise, Delhi Capitals Women (DC-W), as well. She often comes to bowl for DC-W during the powerplay phases and later in the fag end of the innings. In the batting department, Sutherland comes in at the number four position. Apart from her batting and bowling prowess, she has also been a gun fielder.

Notably, she took a stunning catch to dismiss Amelia Kerr, where she sprinted from the long-on region to complete a tough diving catch. For the uninitiated, this was one of the best catches of the ongoing WPL 2025. Interestingly, as the tournament nears its end, all the players who are playing for their national teams will soon be preparing for the upcoming ODI World Cup, scheduled to take place in India later this year, in October and November.

In this regard, Sutherland was asked during an interview whether playing in the WPL will help her and the Australia Women’s team in preparing for their ICC mega-event campaign. Annabel Sutherland pointed out that World Cup matches are often played across different cities and venues. Hence, playing conditions vary accordingly, but playing in the WPL surely helps in gathering as much information as possible about the various playing conditions in India. This will eventually help the Australian all-rounder prepare better for the 50-over mega event.

"The key part of a World Cup is you're moving around changing venues. You want to get as much intel as you can before playing the game. I think it'd be at the back of everyone's minds that [the World Cup] is coming up," Sutherland was quoted as saying by Espn.in.

'I think domestic players there are probably more experienced' - Sutherland on WBBL vs WPL

Furthermore, the 23-year-old was asked about the difference between playing in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) and the WPL. Sutherland revealed that the local players in Australia are generally more experienced as they get to play a lot more matches than the local players in India. However, she also added that with time, young Indian women players will gain experience and become better in different high-pressure games.

Also Check: Video of the Day - WPL 2025: Annabel Sutherland pulls off sensational diving catch to dismiss Amelia Kerr

"Culturally, there's a significant difference with the Indian local players. I've really enjoyed spending time and getting to know [them], that's a pretty cool part of playing the WPL. The WBBL has gone for ten years now. I think domestic players [there] are probably a bit more experienced," the Delhi Capitals all-rounder added.

"I think they have a certain level of calmness about them - which I think the Indian players will keep improving on - given the amount of cricket the Aussie girls have played at that professional level. I think the more you play, the better you get in different pressure situations," Sutherland concluded.