Women's IPL 2020: 5 foreign players to watch out for

The Women’s T20 Challenge not only provides the Indian players with an opportunity to showcase their talent but also gives a platform to players from various other countries to play in front of millions. Both the previous editions of the Women’s T20 Challenge saw leading cricketers from the world set the tournament on fire and expect nothing different this year.

Though, the Australians and some other bigger names would miss the mini tournament due to their commitments at the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), this edition of Women’s T20 Challenge will see a total of 12 foreign players from countries like England, West Indies, New Zealand, Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Thailand trying to make a mark in the tournament. Here, we look at five such foreign players whom you should watch out for some quality cricket:

Chamari Atapattu

Chamari Attapattu (Source: The Cricketer)

The explosive left handed batswoman from Sri Lanka, Chamari Atapattu would be plying her trade for the Harmanpreet Kaur led Supernovas. The current captain of Sri Lanka, Atapattu has played 85 T20 Internationals, scoring at an average of 20.07 and a strike rate of 97.68. But the southpaw is a lot better than the number suggests and this can be proved by her performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 where she finished as the sixth highest run-getter in the tournament with a strike rate of 135.08. Her 178* of 143 balls in an ODI against Australia in 2017 still remains one of the best innings ever played in the history of Women’s Cricket. Atapattu is a strong player of spin and with the Sharjah track expected to be slow, it won’t be a surprise if she ends up among the top run-getters in this tournament. The 30 year old can also be highly valuable in terms of her experience and will definitely be amongst the one Harmanpreet turns to if she needs any advice.

Deandra Dottin

Deandra Dottin (Source: CricTracker)

The twenty nine year old from Barbados, Deandra Dottin, is undoubtedly one of the best all-rounders in World Cricket. Dottin is currently ranked as the world number 1 all-rounder in ICC T20I rankings. The explosive all-rounder would be playing under Smriti Mandhana for the Trailblazers. Dottin is one of the most feared batswomen in the world due to her hard hitting abilities. She is the first women cricketer to hit 100 sixes in T20 Internationals. With the matches to be played at a very small Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the bowlers would be hoping that they don’t have to run into a red hot Deandra Dottin. Well, if they do then good luck to them.

Ayabonga Khaka

Ayabonga Khaka (Source: ICC Cicket)

A right arm pacer from South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka would be playing under Harmanpreet Kaur for the Supernovas. The 28 year old Khaka is one of the better shorter format bowlers in the world cricket at the moment. She has 28 wickets in 29 T20Is at an average of 22.25 and an economy of 6.61 for South Africa. The ability to swing the ball and some great variations means that Khaka is someone who can bowl at any stage of the innings. In a team loaded with some of the world’s best spinners, it’s up to Ayabonga Khaka to stand up and deliver for the team.

Sophie Ecclestone

Sophie Ecclestone (Source: ICC Cricket)

Sophie Ecclestone is a left-arm spinner from England is currently the world number 1 ranked T20I bowler. The 21 year old would be plying her trade under Smriti Mandhana at the Trailblazers. She has taken 56 wickets in 39 T20Is at an average of 15.46 and an economy of 5.95 for England. With the pitches at Sharjah expected to be slow, Sophie would have a huge role to play in the tournament. The Trailblazers haven’t enjoyed a great time in the previous editions of Women’s T20 Challenge and they would definitely need Sophie Ecclestone on the top of her game, if they are to pose a threat to the remaining teams.

Danielle Wyatt

Danielle Wyatt (Source: ECB)

A veteran of 113 T20Is, Danielle Wyatt is an explosive batswoman who can bat a bit and would be playing for the Mithali Raj led Velocity. The 29 year old from England is one of the most fearsome strikers of the ball in world cricket at the moment. She has scored 1328 runs at a strike rate of 122.74 in the T20Is for England. With the kind of experience she has, Wyatt would also be a part of the leadership group at the Velocity. Add to that her flexibility in the batting order, she is a complete package. In the tournament, Wyatt is expected to open the innings alongside Shafali Verma and this would surely be a treat for the cricket fans.