WPL Preview: Season 2

The 2024 season of TATA WPL gets underway on Friday with the reigning champions, Mumbai Indians, taking on Delhi Capitals in a re-run of last year's finale. On that occasion, seven wickets was the victory margin and was set up by an excellent innings of 60 from Nat Sciver-Brunt, and a spell of 3-42 from Issy Wong, as the home side lifted the inaugural trophy.

Bengaluru will host the first half of the 2024 edition before the action moves to Delhi for the final stages. The final will be held on 17 March at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

The auction took place in December to fill 30 vacancies - nine of them to overseas players - after the retention process had been completed.

Mumbai Indians

The defending champions have added the pace of Shabnim Ismail to a bowling group that also includes Issy Wong and Pooja Vastrakar, alongside all-rounders Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr.

Hayley Mathews, the inaugural player of the season, returns to take her place at the top of the order and Harmanpreet Kaur, who requires some runs following a disappointing international summer, will continue as captain.

South African Chloe Tryon, who was retained from last season despite not featuring in any of the ten matches, takes the other overseas place.

Delhi Capitals

The now internationally retired, Meg Lanning, returns to captain the Delhi Capitals having led them to the Final courtesy of winning the group stage. Lanning's run tally of 345 was the most for any batter in the tournament.

Australian Annabel Sutherland has been added to the group and is one of only three changes that Delhi Capitals have made.

Once again, they will have the services of overseas players; Marizanne Kapp, Alice Capsey, Jess Jonassen and Laura Harris. Their domestic quota includes Indian regulars Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues.

UP Warriorz

The UP Warriorz were the first season's third-placed side due to losing the Eliminator to eventual winners Mumbai Indians. Danni Wyatt has been added to the squad following her disappointment at last year's omission.

Her England teammate Sophie Ecclestone, who was last year's joint-leading wicket-taker with 16, returns as do the Australian trio of Alyssa Healy, Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris. McGrath and Harris both averaged over 50 in the first edition - McGrath also contributed 302 runs and 2 wickets.

Chamari Athapaththu has been added as a replacement for Lauren Bell, having been unsuccessful in the auction.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB have made significant changes to their squad following a disappointing first season in which they picked up just two victories. They will be without the leadership and experience of Heather Knight and Dane van Niekerk - the former withdrawing due to an international scheduling clash.

Ellyse Perry and Sophie Devine both return and Smriti Mandhana will once again captain the side.

England's Kate Cross has been added as an additional seam bowling option to potentially partner Renuka Singh with the new ball.

Gujarat Giants

It was also a disappointing first season for the Gujarat Giants and this has led to several squad changes. Phoebe Litchfield and Kathryn Bryce were added as overseas players, alongside a host of domestic players.

Beth Mooney completes a trio of Australian captains and will return for her second season. Other overseas in the franchise include Ash Gardener and Laura Wolvaardt.

In 2023, Gardener was the leading run scorer with 204 runs and also claimed ten wickets at an average of 25.5.