WPL 2024: Revamped Gujarat Giants faces uphill activity in opposition to buoyant Mumbai Indians

Wooden spoon holder in 2023, Gujarat Giants may have its activity minimize out when it takes on defending champion Mumbai Indians to begin its Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 marketing campaign on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.

With a revamped crew, all eyes might be on how Giants fare in opposition to MI, particularly contemplating its important defeats of 143 runs and 55 runs within the earlier season in opposition to the identical opposition.

Mumbai began its season with a victory over Delhi Capitals. However, its two reliable forces, Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt, didn’t have an ideal begin to WPL 2024 and might be wanting to make a comeback.

Although Mumbai confronted a setback with its international gamers within the high order, the return to type of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika Bhatia, who acquired spectacular fifties, provides power to its line-up.

Yastika regarded nearly as good as she may, and Harmanpreet broke a protracted streak of single-digit scores. MI’s skipper regarded in nice contact, and together with her sturdy leg-side recreation, she poses a formidable menace, particularly with the boundary line favouring her from the Pavilion finish.

Pooja Vastrakar and Amelia Kerr are entrusted with the finisher’s function for Mumbai, whereas the addition of Shabnim Ismail bolsters its tempo bowling choices.

Against Capitals, Mumbai’s spinners, particularly leg-spinners Kerr and B. Keerthana, appeared unsettled on a recent pitch. Amandeep Kaur, the left-arm wrist spinner, would possibly provide a shock aspect and will substitute the latter within the taking part in XI.

For Gujarat Giants, the return of Beth Mooney, who missed many of the earlier season on account of harm, supplies a major increase. She will kind a dependable opening partnership with Laura Wolvaardt, with Harleen Deol slotting in at No. 3.

Dayalan Hemalatha will present flexibility within the batting order, supported by younger Australia sensation Phoebe Litchfield and skilled all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner.

ICC Associate Women’s Player of the Decade, Scotland’s Kathryn Bryce, opens up the fifth abroad slot and extends the batting as much as No. 8 with vice-captain Sneh Rana.

Rana, who led the crew in Mooney’s absence within the first season, will play a significant function in main the comparatively inexperienced bowling assault for Giants.