WPL 2023: Shafali Verma to Alyssa Healy - Strike-rate queens to watch out for in inaugural edition

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The first-ever Women's Premier League (WPL) is set to begin from Saturday, March 4 with the Match between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians Women. A total of 20 league matches will be played between the five teams before the Eliminator on March 24 and the final on March 26.

The historic WPL 2023 auction was held in mid-February. A total of 87 players were sold and Rs 59.50 crore was splurged collectively amongst the five franchises - Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz. The teams have loaded themselves up with numerous Indian and foreign stars and it's over to them now to set the stage on fire.

The men's IPL has seen batters go berserk and hit a hundred in just 30 deliveries. Women's cricket is at its peak currently and a similar expectation can be held from the best of talents from across the globe in the WPL. The articles gives an insight on a few of the players who carry the highest strike rates in women's T20 cricket.

WPL 2023: Strike-rate queen

Richa Ghosh: The 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter was bought by RCB for Rs 1.90 crore. One of the most exciting young talents going around, Ghosh has a T20I average of 133.41. The Siliguri-born star was in top-form during the Women's T20 World Cup 2023, scoring 31*, 44* and 47 not out in three consecutive innings.

Ashleigh Gardner: The joint second-highest expensive (Rs 3.20 crore) foreign buy, Ashleigh Gardner would be seen representing Gujarat Giants in the inaugural edition. Eyes will be on the Australia all-rounder who was adjudged Player of the Series as Australia Women's clinched their record-standing sixth T20 World Cup title. She carries with her a strike rate of 132.43. The 25-year-old has 1176 runs in 73 T20I matches.

Shafali Verma: India Women opener Shafali Verma will be plying her trade for Delhi Capitals in the WPL 2023. She was picked by the franchise for Rs 2 crore. The 19-year-old has a T20I career strike rate of 132.11. The Haryana-born star has scored 1333 runs in 56 matches.

Alyssa Healy: One of the hottest property in the WPL 2023, the Australia international was grabbed by UP Warriorz for Rs 70 lakh. The wicketkeeper-batter finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the recently-concluded Women's T20 World Cup 2023. The 32-year-old has an impressive T20I strike rate of 126.92. She has scored 2489 runs in 144 matches. UP Warriorz have already appointed her as the captain of the team.

Smriti Mandhana: The swashbuckling India opener is a T20 globetrotter and her impressive strike rate adds to the dimensions of her game. The classy southpaw has a strike rate of 123.87. The 26-year-old has scored 2802 runs in 116 matches. Mandhana is the costliest player in the WPL 2023. RCB have acquired her service for Rs 3.40 crore.