MUMBAI TRIUMPH IN FITTING FINALE

WPL EMERGES A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR WOMEN’S CRICKET

that in the long-run young and uncapped Indian players would emerge wiser from the experience of playing with the best and sharing dressing rooms with the most knowledgeable players in the world and gradually this will help them realize what they need to do to improve their skills.

ISRAELI UNION JOINS PROTEST AGAINST PM NETANYAHU’S PLAN

Interestingly, it was just 3 years after the IPL in 2008 that the Indian Men’s team lifted the ODI World Cup in 2011. Cricket pundits believe that IPL exposure had a huge role in getting the team ready for tense situations.

Indian Women’s team would also hope that WPL gives them the much needed edge, both in terms of unearthing fresh talent from within the country and making them mentally stronger for knockout games in ICC championships, one which has been their Achilles heel in the last few years!

The inaugural season of the WPL ended with a thrilling finale as Mumbai Indians emerged victorious, claiming the title despite facing a tough challenge from the Delhi Capitals. The five-team competition culminated on Sunday with India and Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur finally leading a side to triumphant glory as Mumbai crossed the line with 7 wickets and 3 balls to spare.

In a nervy summit clash between the two best teams of the WPL, Mumbai spinners and the experienced duo of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur guided Mumbai Indians to the title. With Issy Wong picking up the first three wickets and Mumbai spinners Hayley Matthews, Saika Ishaque and Melie Kerr keeping things tight, the Delhi Capitals kept losing wickets regularly that saw them slide to 79/9. But in a rousing fightback, Radha Yadav and Shikha Pandey added 52 runs off just 24 balls in a thrilling 10th wicket stand. With both of them finishing unbeaten on 27 each, the Delhi side reached a respectable total of 131.

Despite the modest target,