WPL 2025: Key Domestic Players To Watch Out For This Season

The Women’s Premier League (WPL 2025) continues to be a breeding ground for emerging Indian cricket talent while also showcasing top-tier international players. Gujarat Giants lock horns with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Vadodara. The league has always been excited to see names on a global scale. But the foundation of the league’s success has always lain with local players.

Emerging Indian Players Taking Center Stage

For the last few years, Shreyanka Patil and Saika Ishaque have been a couple of domestic players stepping up under the conditions on the pitch to record national call-ups. The list of brilliant Indian cricket players is being added to year-on-year as time ticks. This season in WPL 2025, while many overseas stars are absent due to injuries, from Alyssa Heraly to Sophie Molineux and Kate Cross, domestic players and fresh talent have an excellent opportunity to shine.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s Perspective On Domestic Talent

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed excitement for an upcoming season, sharing that, “Even before the auctions, we discussed that a lot of domestic cricketers have done well, and everyone had names in their minds to watch out for. We are hoping they do well and that the Indian team becomes stronger.”

Players To Watch Out For

In this season of the WPL 2025, Shafali Verma will be fervently making scores for Delhi Capitals, trying to make a return to the Indian team, that has fallen out of favor. And, with the England tour scheduled for July, followed by the ODI World Cup at home, this is a genuine season for her! While Kashvee Gautam made headlines in domestic cricket, will have the chance to prove herself against top competition.

Push For Home-Away Format and New Venues

The two new venues this season are Vadodara and Lucknow, illustrating the direction of the league turning toward a full-home-away system similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Challenges For Defending Champions RCB

RCB faces a tough challenge in carrying their title forward with their key players Sophie Devine (taking a mental health break), Sophie Molineux, and Kate Cross (injured) out this season. Moreover, all-rounder Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil, and Asha Sobhana are in the process of recovering. They must be able to overcome these setbacks during their quest for another title.

Skipper Smriti Mandhana of the team RCB admits: “It is true that a lot of our players who played last season are not in the team this season because of injuries. Sophie (Devine) is one of the best all-rounders in the world, so we are going to feel her absence. So we understand it is tough, but mental health is more important than anything. We respect that.”

Delhi Capitals: Aiming To Break The Final Jinx

With two bridesmaid finishes, Delhi Capitals have been the most elite team over the years and will want to have a first crack at the silverware this time. The site offers a hefty punch in batting. Shafali Verma, Meg Lanning, Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland, and Marizanne Kapp form some of the biggest names around in the sport, while their bowlers are impressive as well, with experience counting in the camp with the likes of Shikha Pandey, Arundhati Reddy, Titas Sadhu, Jess Jonassen, and Radha Yadav.

“We have made the team easier with the players that we have brought in. We feel good about it going into this game,” Lanning said. “We have to start by getting to the final and getting over the line.”

Mumbai Indians: Strengthening The Batting Depth

Mumbai Indians, a first-time champion, was halted from doubling by leaning heavily on their upper order in the last season debut—Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Amelia Kerr looking ahead at them to augur total profusion.

New Leadership For Gujarat Giants and UP Warriors

Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz will both have new captains this year. Deepti Sharma is made captain of UP Warriorz as Alyssa Healy is unavailable due to injury management for WPL 2025. “I don’t think I am under pressure. She has played a lot of matches and led her teams well. We will miss her a bit,” Deepti said.

Ashleigh Gardner takes over from Beth Mooney as captain of Gujarat Giants. The Giants have not been performing well in the last seasons, finishing last every time. To improve their performance, they recruited all-rounder Deandra Dottin, batter Simran Shaikh, and bowler Danielle Gibson.

Final Words

WPL 2025 is going to offer an exciting season full of international superstars and emerging Indian talent. With new venues, leadership changes, and prominent players absent, the tournament is likely to be a close call on who holds the title.