Table of Contents
The new season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to begin on February 14 with the opening match between Gujarat Giants and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium. The tournament is anticipated to have some nail-biting fixtures and exciting cricket action with the final scheduled to be held on March 15 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
As the teams gear up for the prestigious competition, captains of all 5 teams in the league shared insights on their respective team plans during a press conference organized by WPL’s official broadcaster Star Sports.
Meg Lanning hopes her side wins their maiden title this season
The skipper of the Delhi Capitals (DC), Meg Lanning, expressed confidence in her team’s performance, stating that they did almost everything right and remained one of the most dominant sides in the league. She believes there is no need for significant changes in their approach, as their overall strategy has been effective. However, the DC captain emphasized that success in high-stakes matches ultimately comes down to handling pressure. Lanning acknowledged that this is the one key area where DC would aim to improve in the upcoming season. Capitals were finalists of the league in the previous and have a star-studded squad featuring Jemimah Rodriguez, Marizanne Kapp, and Laura Wolvaardt.
Harmanpreet Kaur expresses confidence in young turks
Mumbai Indians’ captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, emphasized the significant impact of the WPL in providing young Indian players with a platform to showcase their talent and earn national call-ups over the past two seasons. She credited the league for nurturing emerging cricketers and giving them invaluable exposure at the highest level. While refraining from naming specific players, Harmanpreet expressed confidence that several rising stars will make a lasting impression on the big stage this season.
Also Read: WPL 2025: 5 Overseas players to watch out for in the Women’s Premier League
Smriti Mandhana addresses injury concerns
The captain of defending champions RCB, Smriti Mandhana, addressed the setback of losing key players like Sophie Devine to injury, acknowledging that such challenges are concerning but emphasizing the need to make the most of the squad at hand. She reaffirmed the team’s determination to defend their title despite the hurdles. Smriti also spoke about the electrifying experience of playing in front of the passionate Chinnaswamy crowd, describing RCB’s fan base as deeply emotional—where both love and criticism come in equal measure, but on a grand scale. However, she sees this intense fan engagement as a source of motivation, driving the team to give their absolute best, not just for themselves but for the dedicated supporters who invest their hearts in RCB.
A new challenge for Deepti Sharma
Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma, newly appointed as captain of UP Warriorz following Alyssa Healy’s injury-enforced absence, acknowledged the immense responsibility that comes with leading the team. However, having previously captained her state side, she remains confident in her ability to step up and deliver strong results. Deepti expressed her enthusiasm for new challenges, embracing the leadership role as an opportunity for growth. Deepti expressed her determination to make the most of this chance and is hopeful of guiding UP Warriorz to a successful campaign with her experience and strategic mindset.
Ashleigh Gardner confident of the great leap forward
After two disappointing seasons at the bottom of the points table, the Giants have made a strategic leadership change, appointing Ashleigh Gardner as captain in place of Beth Mooney. Gardner emphasized that the team is not dwelling on past setbacks but is fully focused on a stronger performance this season. She expressed confidence in the squad’s improved balance, highlighting the presence of greater international experience and promising young talent. While the ultimate goal is to compete for the title, Gardner stressed that the immediate priority is achieving significantly better results than in the previous two seasons, taking it one step at a time.
Also Read: Women’s Premier League 2025 – Here’s how to buy tickets for WPL matches
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
