WPL 2024: Meghna Singh becomes first Indian quick to pick four-for

Playing only her fourth match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Meghna Singh became the first Indian pacer to pick up a four-for at the WPL. An India international, Meghna achieved the feat during the fixture between her side, the Gujarat Giants, and the Delhi Capitals, the 10th match of the second edition of the WPL on Sunday evening at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Right-arm medium-pacer Meghna, who made her WPL debut last Sunday against the Mumbai Indians, bagged 4 for 37 off her full allocation of four overs against the Capitals. The wickets of Shafali Verma, Alice Capsey, Meg Lanning — who make up the Capitals’ top three — and Radha Yadav comprised her historic haul. Her efforts helped the Beth Mooney-led Giants limit heavyweights Capitals, captained by Lanning, to 163 for 3 after Giants won the toss and sent the opposition in to bat.

“I have the words 'stay strong' tattooed on my hand, so my coach said I have to point to it every time I take a wicket tonight,” Meghna said of her celebrations “The pitch is good for batting. It was a little tough to bowl on but we covered for it well.”

Leading into Sunday’s match, Meghna, a swing bowler, had returned figures of 0 for 19 against Mumbai, 0 for 17 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, and 1 for 39 against the UP Warriorz. In pretty much all four matches, Meghna’s ability to move the ball in the air with deft control has found expression.