The 2024 edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) completed the first leg, from February 23 to March 4, in Bengaluru and will move to Delhi for the next set of matches — including the eliminator and the final — starting on Tuesday.
Defending champions Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals have been the best teams at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru after three wins each in four matches. DC is on top of the WPL 2024 points table with a better net run rate at +1.251, while MI is second at +0.402. Both teams have six points.
Local team Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by Smriti Mandhana, also notched up six points with three wins, but they played five matches overall, losing two.
WPL 2024: Star performers in league matches
Smriti Mandhana has been the top-scorer among the batters. The classy left-hander smashed 219 runs at 154.22 strike-rate, including two 50s. She registered her highest score in the league, 80 off 50 balls, against the UP Warriorz.
Sabbhineni Meghana, who represented Gujarat Giants in the inaugural edition, made an impressive debut for RCB. The Andhra batter scored 164 runs, including a 50 against UP.
Among the bowlers, the spinners have ruled the roost. Sophie Ecclestone (UP), Radha Yadav (Delhi), Asha Sobhana (RCB) and Amelia Kerr (MI) caused the bulk of the damage to their opponents. All of them picked up seven wickets in the Bengaluru leg. RCB's Sobhana even picked up a five-for to strangle UP in its run chase of 158, where it fell short by two runs.
WPL matches in Delhi: League matches, play-off, final
March is one of the better months for cricket in the capital. The temperatures are pleasant, and the Air Quality Index not too bad. The matches will be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, earlier known as Feroz Shah Kotla, and it will be the third city after Navi Mumbai (2023) and Bengaluru to host WPL matches.
One can expect good batting-friendly wickets since the temperature is not as dry as it usually is during the Indian Premier League. On Monday, Delhi received light rainfall. The new-ball bowlers can generate swing if the conditions are windy and overcast on Tuesday.
It will be a new start for UP Warriorz and the Gujarat Giants. UP will be hungry to scale up after two wins and three losses, while GG must win all games after losing four out of four.
