Follow UsThe third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is around the corner, and this edition is more crucial than ever, with an ODI World Cup in November to follow. India have reached the final twice in their history, in 2005 and 2017, but they are yet to win an ODI World Cup.
Hence, the upcoming edition will become even more critical for the players fighting for a spot or wanting to establish their place on the national team.
Who are the players who will want to prove a point in Women’s Premier League 2025:
Yastika Bhatia
With a wicketkeeper spot up for grabs, Yastika Bhatia will undoubtedly be eyeing an amazing season for Mumbai Indians to establish her place back in the Indian side. The left-handed batter has quite a big advantage over her competitor - Uma Chetry - considering she can open the innings as well.
Yastika had a good 2024 WPL season, with 204 runs and a strike rate of 112.04. She’ll also be vying for the number three spot in the ODI team.
Arundhati Reddy
Over the last few months, a lot of eyes were on Arundhati Reddy, who was dropped from the Indian setup without any ‘explanation’. While the all-rounder certainly was impressive for Kerala, there isn’t a better stage than WPL for Arundhati to make a comeback.
She was one of the most impressive bowlers in India’s series against Australia, where she picked up 4/26 in one of the ‘greatest spells’ for the national side. The all-rounder picked up eight wickets in WPL 2024, averaging 28.12, and has a great chance of using the WPL to make a mark.
Harleen Deol
115, 1, 20, 89 and 15: Harleen Deol's last five international scores certainly show why the Indian selectors rate her highly. But how she got there after Dayalan Hemalatha was dropped from the setup is worth remembering.
If she can have a good WPL 2025, maybe there will no longer be the No.3 debate.
Shafali Verma
When India dropped Shafali Verma, it was all over the ‘headlines’. But the Indian opener went to domestic cricket and made quite an immediate impact, with 414 runs in five matches, averaging 82.80 with a strike rate of 145.26.
Shafali couldn’t have asked for a better stage than WPL, where she scored 561 runs, striking aggressively at 168.46. With Meg Lanning at the other end, there’s a good chance that she can bring the best version of herself.
Shreyanka Patil
Unlike the others on the list, it isn’t an issue of form for Shreyanka Patil. The upcoming WPL will be quintessential for the all-rounder to prove her fitness and, more importantly, gain invaluable match experiences before the much-awaited ODI World Cup.
The off-spinner has played only three ODIs in her career, with five wickets, averaging 27. There’s a strong chance that Shreyanka could add more to that tally after the end of WPL 2025.