The inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023 is almost just a month away, and all 5 teams are brainstorming in the preparations for the landmark tournament which is a massive stepping stone in women’s cricket.
Before the tournament itself, the franchises will be in action in the WPL 2023 auction.
When is the Women’s Premier League WPL 2023 auction?
The inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) player auction is likely to take place on February 13 in Mumbai.
When will the Women’s Premier League WPL 2023 start?
The inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League WPL 2023 is likely to start on March 4 with the final on March 24.
The franchises have started roping in some of the biggest names in women’s cricket in their coaching staff and have already sent scouts to look at the domestic and international players, and monitor their form and fitness ahead of the WPL auction.
Here is the list of coaching staff announced so far for the Women’s Premier League WPL 2023:
Mumbai
The Mumbai-based franchise for the WPL, which is owned by the Mumbai Indians’ owners, has announced an all-woman coaching staff, to be headed by Former England captain Charlotte Edwards as the head coach, and including legendary Indian pacer Jhulan Goswami in the dual role of mentor and bowling coach. Devika Palshikar, the former India all-rounder, has been named batting coach.
Charlotte Edwards is the second-highest run-getter in both women’s ODIs and women’s Tests who retired from professional cricket in 2017. Edwardshas been head coach of English domestic team Southern Vipers, Southern Brave (the Hundred), and Sydney Sixers in the WBBL. At international level, she’s done some coaching work with the USA women’s teams.
In 2009, Edwards led England to the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup title and the ODI World Cup trophy.
Jhulan Goswami retired last year as the leading wicket-taker in women’s ODIs (255). Since her T20I retirement, Goswami has been involved in grooming cricketers as a mentor of Bengal Women’s team.
Devika Palshikar was the assistant coach of the Indian team between 2014 and 2016, and then coached the Bangladesh Women’s team. Palshikaar was also at the coach when Velocity made it to the final of the 2022 Women’s T20 Challenge.
Gujarat Giants
After splashing INR 1289 crore for the Ahmedabad franchise – the highest bid of all 5 franchises – the Adani Sportsline Pvt. Ltd made their first move by naming the franchise Gujarat Giants, and to run the coaching staff, they appointed the recently retired Australian Rachael Haynes as the head coach of the team, and former India skipper and batting legend Mithali Raj as mentor and advisor.
Nooshin Al Khadeer, the former India spinner who recently coached the India Under-19 team to the inaugural u-19 T20 WC victory in South Africa, has been picked as Gujarat’s bowling coach. Former India senior women’s team coach and all-rounder Tushar Arothe is roped in as the Giants’ batting coach and Gavan Twining is added to the staff as the fielding coach.
“Not only have they carved a niche for themselves in their roles, but their stories of resilience will be an inspiration for the team. Their combined strengths will enable Adani Sportsline’s Gujarat Giants to give their best performance on the ground at the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League, which will inspire several aspiring women athletes,” Mentor Mithali Raj said of the coaching staff.
Only two franchises have announced their coaching staff. You can expect the other three to name theirs soon because the WPL auction is only a week away.
Stay tuned to The Cricket Lounge for more news on the WPL 2023.
