The inaugural season of the Indian Women’s T20 League is slated to take place from 4th March to 26th March 2023. Five franchises, including Gujarat, Bengaluru, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai and Delhi will vie for the maiden title in order to make their mark in the tournament. A total of 23 matches will be played across 17 days at two venues in Mumbai – DY Patil Stadium and Brabourne Stadium.
The Adani Group-owned Gujarat franchise did well at the auction by bidding on some of the top players in women’s international cricket. They managed to get targeted players on the squad. Gujarat banked more on all-rounders and spent money on players who can contribute in both departments. A. Gardner was the most expensive buy for Gujarat as they acquired the services for 3.2 crore. Gujarat spent INR 11.95 crore to have 14 players in the squad for the inaugural season of the Indian Women’s T20 League. The franchise also made bids for young talents. However, there are certain players one has to keep eye on in the Indian Women’s T20 League 2023.
Here are five to players to watch out for from Gujarat
B. Mooney
B. Mooney will be leading Gujarat in the inaugural edition of the Indian Women’s T20 League. The franchise bought her for INR 2 crore at the auction. Mooney is regarded as one of the best batters in Women’s T20Is. The 29-year-old was part of the Australian team that recently won the record-extending sixth Women’s T20 World Cup triumph. She scored a superb unbeaten 74 in the Final against South Africa. Mooney is an attacking batter and can unleash firepower at the top. In T20Is, B. Mooney has scored 2350 runs, including two centuries, at an average of 40.51 in 83 matches. She will be the key to Gujarat’s fortunes in the Indian Women’s T20 League 2023
D. Dottin
D. Dottin has been one of the best batters in women’s international cricket. The 31-year-old was bought by Gujarat for 60 lakhs ahead of the inaugural season of the Indian Women’s T20 League. Dottin is the highest run-getter by Caribbean batter in the Women’s T20Is, aggregating 2697 runs in 127 matches. She was the first player to score a century in the Women’s T20Is. D. Dottin is a hard-hitter and usually plays in the middle-order of the batting line-up. Former West Indies batter will have a crucial role to play in Gujarat’s fortunes in the Indian Women’s T20 League 2023.
A. Gardner
A. Gardener is one of the best all-rounders for Australia in the Women’s T20Is. The 25-year-old was bought by the Gujarat franchise for INR 3.2 crore, making her joint second-most expensive buy at the Indian Women’s T20 League. Gardner was part of the Australia team that won the record-extending sixth Women’s T20 World Cup triumph in South Africa. A. Gardner is often considered an all-rounder who could score runs at a quick pace and claim big wickets. She is expected to be one of the players to rely on in the middle-order. She has delivered her best with the bat and ball in the Women’s T20Is. In the T20Is, Gardner has scored 1176 runs and scalped 53 wickets in 73 matches.
S. Dunkley
S. Dunkley has been often considered one of the rising stars in Women’s cricket. The 23-year-old was bought by the Gujarat franchise for 60 lakhs ahead of the inaugural season of the Indian Women’s T20 League. Dynamic women batter can bat at No.3 for Gujarat in the IWT20L 2023. She could be one of the assets to the team, given her talent as well as her ability to play swift knocks and up the ante. Dunkley can also chip in with leg-break bowling. In the Women’s T20Is, S. Dunkley has scored 652 runs, including two fifties, at an average of 24.14 in 44 matches. Dunkley is definitely the player to watch out for from Gujarat.
S. Rana
S. Rana has been appointed as the vice-captain of Gujarat for the inaugural season of the Indian Women’s T20 League. The franchise bought the 29-year-old for 75 lakhs at the auction. Rana is a useful all-rounder who can play some good knocks in the lower order and take crucial wickets with the ball. In the Women’s T20Is, S. Rana has scored 76 runs and scalped 24 wickets in 25 matches. As a vice-captain of the Gujarat, Rana will have crucial role to play in the team’s fortunes in the Indian Women’s T20 League 2023.
