The 2023 edition of the Women’s Premier League has started off on a terrific note. An overwhelming majority of the games has been closely fought, and there has been no dearth of heroics either. The tone was set early, in the opening match, when Harmanpreet Kaur and Co put up an outstanding batting performance to guide Mumbai Indians to 207/5 in 20 overs.
We take a look at seven of the most memorable performances from the Women’s Premier League 2023 so far.
Shafali Verma 84 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
Against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Shafali Verma smashed a 45-ball 84, smashing ten fours and four sixes, and forging a blistering 162-run stand with the skipper Meg Lanning. It was one of the best knocks Shafali has played in her fledgling international career, and it came against a bowling attack comprising of Renuka Singh and Megan Schutt.
Alyssa Healy 96* vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
Alyssa Healy fell agonisingly short of becoming the first centurion of the Women’s Premier League, when she smashed an unbeaten 96 versus Royal Challengers Bangalore. Chasing a modest target of 139, Healy went all-gun-blazing, tonking 18 fours and a six in her whirlwind knock.
Tara Norris 29/5 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
As if the ruthless assault carried out by Shafali and Lanning wasn’t enough, Tara Norris added salt to the wounds, when she claimed a five-for for Delhi Capitals. Thanks to her wonderful spell, Royal Challengers Bangalore were skittled out for just 263.
Marizanne Kapp 15/5 vs Gujarat Giants
After relatively ordinary performances in the first three games, Marizanne Kapp bowled a fiery spell in her fourth match to guide Delhi Capitals to a resounding victory. Kapp conceded just 15 runs in her quota of four overs, and picked five wickets, to tumble out Gujarat for a below-par total of 105.
“I wanted to perform so badly for my team. In previous games, I felt that I was missing my lines and lengths. I think if you want to perform, you have to put in the hard work. I felt I let my team down in the first three games,” Kapp said after the match against Gujarat.
Kim Garth 36/5 vs UP Warriorz
Kim Garth delivered a terrific spell, albeit in a losing cause, as it was not enough to stop UP Warriorz from mowing down the target set up by Gujarat Giants. Garth got better of the top-four batters lineup, but then a blinder from Grace Harris snatched the victory from Gujarat Giants.
Grace Harris 59 vs Gujarat Giants
When Grace Harris came to the crease, her team was teetering along at 88/5, and a victory seemed a bit improbable. Harris then came and played an innings of devastating proportions, hitting everything coming her way with surgical precision. She slammed 59 off just 26 deliveries to propel her team across the target.
Meg Lanning 70 vs UP Warriorz
For the second time in a row, Delhi capitals piled up a target of over 200, and skipper Meg Lanning played a huge role on both occasions. Against UP Warriorz, she slammed a 42-ball 70 to build a solid foundation. Later on, a couple of breezy cameos from Jess Jonassen and Jemimah Rodrigues helped Delhi set up a daunting target.
