Women's T20 League 2023: Mumbai's Predicted Playing XI

Mumbai's Predicted XI for Women's T20 League (Source: Twitter)

The Mumbai Women’s franchise in the Women’s T20 League ended up buying 17 players in the auction conducted on Monday at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. Interestingly, the Mumbai franchise made quite a few star purchases in players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Hayley Matthews. However, they also picked up younger players like Sonam Yadav and Jintimani Kalita, exposing them to ample opportunities.

Here’s the full squad for Mumbai: Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Yastika Bhatia, Heather Graham, Issy Wong, Amanjot Kaur, Dhara Gujjar, Saika Ishaque, Hayley Matthews, Chloe Tryon, Priyanka Bala, Humairaa Kaazi, Neelam Bisht, Jintamani Kalita, Sonam Yadav. Here’s what Mumbai’s Playing XI could look like.

Top Order

Yastika Bhatia (Source: Twitter)

Yastika Bhatia (wk): To open the batting, India wicketkeeper batter Yastika Bhatia is a fine choice. She has been seen in the opener’s role in her outings for India in WT20Is in the absence of Smriti Mandhana, and the Women’s T20 League could be her stage to polish her opening batter role further. She’ll also handle the gloves behind the stumps.

Hayley Matthews: Alongside Bhatia, Hayley Matthews can be a great opening option. She has primarily been an opener in her career, and the right-left combination with Bhatia can make the field work more and tire out quicker.

Nat Sciver: On number three, England’s Nat Sciver can be a great option. The experienced campaigner has seen it all in her career, stretching over 100 WT20Is, and she can provide balance to the batting order in case one of the openers is dismissed cheaply.

Middle Order and Allrounders

Amelia Kerr and Amanjot Kaur (Source: Twitter)

Harmanpreet Kaur (c): Probably the most popular name in the middle order, India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has to bat at number four. Alongside her duties with the willow, she’ll also be handling the captaincy for this XI.

Amelia Kerr: The third spot of the four overseas players allowed from non-associate nations in this XI will be taken up by Amelia Kerr. She needs to bat a little higher up the order, and number five seems suitable for her to prove her worth with the willow. Her off-spin will always be handy in restricting the run-flow.

Amanjot Kaur: Although Amanjot Kaur has just two WT20I matches under her belt, she has scored an unbeaten 41 in the only WT20I innings of her career so far. Her experience may see her bat at Number six, but a promotion is deemed to happen if she continues to perform. While she is also handy with the ball, she is yet to pick up a wicket in her international career.

Pooja Vastrakar: The next player on this XI is a more recognized face; Pooja Vastrakar will contribute with both bat and ball. Her big-hitting makes her an essential element of the middle order. Her medium-pace bowling is, of course, another handy weapon to have in hand.

Bowlers

Sonam Yadav (Source: Twitter)

Neelam Bisht: The first among the bowlers is the right-arm off-spinner Neelam Bisht. While recognized more for consistent wicket-taking in the domestic games, Bisht is also handy with the bat. She’ll be vital down the order and one of the prime bowlers for the skipper.

Heather Graham: The final overseas spot goes to Heather Graham. She’ll be the frontline pacer of the team. Although low on T20 experience, Graham has proven that she is a white-ball specialist in the 3 WT20Is she has been a part of bagging the best figures of 4-8.

Sonam Yadav: The youngest player to be sold at the Women's T20 League auction, Sonam Yadav would be the left-arm spinner of the side. At just 15 years of age, she has made it to Mumbai’s team and is suspected to be an exceptional bowler. Giving her a chance would be worthy, and having a left-arm spinner available is always sensible.

Shaika Ishaque: The women’s game is centred on allrounders, with Mumbai’s team also bagging several of them. To end the line-up with a pure bowler, they might go to another left-armer, Shaika Ishaque. However, Ishaque is also handy with the willow. To see her role in the XI would be interesting.