Smriti Mandhana, captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has highlighted the Women’s Premier League’s increasing importance, saying that exceptional play in the forthcoming season could propel young women into consideration for India’s T20 World Cup team later this year.
Mandhana emphasised that the league has developed into a vital talent pipeline for Indian women’s cricket, particularly with a significant ICC event coming up, during a joint pre-match media interview with Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of the new WPL campaign.
Mandhana clarified that the selectors almost always take note of remarkable seasons. She claims that athletes who perform well under duress in the T20 format solidify their place in the selection discussion.
“I am sure there will be a place in the T20 World Cup as well if there is an exciting talent and someone has an extraordinary season,” Mandhana remarked.
The Indian opener did admit, though, that playing well is not enough to get a spot; team balance, roles, and combinations are still important factors. Nevertheless, she restated that persistent performances in the WPL greatly bolster a player’s argument.
“Harmanpreet, she, will second that. Once more, though, it depends on her fit. “There are always opportunities if you have a strong WPL, especially in the T20 format, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching,” Mandhana stated.
Additionally, Mandhana emphasised how the competition keeps forcing Indian players to step outside of their comfort zones, bridging the gap between home cricket and the global scene.
Every time we represent India, we talk about our goal of becoming the world’s top team. For the entire year, not just a few tournaments. “Every WPL just brings us one step closer to that,” she stated.
Harmanpreet Kaur echoed same thoughts, stating that the Indian team’s goals now go beyond single victories. The emphasis is on consistent success in all competitions and formats, she clarified, with a winning mentality permeating the team.
“One World Cup is insufficient for us. We want to have the best mindset—that winning mindset—every time we take the pitch because we have a lot of cricket to play’, Harmanpreet stated.
According to Harmanpreet, the competitive atmosphere fostered by the IPL is partly responsible for the younger players’ adoption of the same championship-driven mindset, which she said is positive.
It is encouraging to observe that other players, in addition to ourselves, are expressing a desire to win constantly. That demonstrates how much of an impact WPL has had, Harmanpreet remarked.
The forthcoming WPL season is anticipated to be closely watched by selectors as the Women’s T20 World Cup approaches. The competition serves as a direct audition for the largest platform in the world for India’s up-and-coming talent, making it more than just a local league.
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