The Mumbai Indians (MI), one of the most successful teams in women’s cricket, faced a rollercoaster ride in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024. After a championship-winning season, expectations were high. Still, the team stumbled at crucial moments, leading to their elimination in the playoffs.
Fans closely followed every match, with many checking updates through their Betpro account to stay on top of the action. Here’s a better look at what went wrong, what changes were made, and who to keep an eye on for the next season.
What Was Wrong with WPL 2024?
Mumbai Indians’ biggest strength in their title-winning season quickly became their Achilles’ heel in 2024. The team heavily relied on their star all-rounders, but this over-dependence cost them dearly in key matches.
When MI was close to making it to the final, they lost twice to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The most heartbreaking loss was in the Eliminator, which stopped their title defense.
They had a good top-order batting lineup with experienced players. Still, they couldn’t get consistent help from domestic players in the batting and bowling departments, which was a big problem. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur hopes for more contributions from the lower order and the pace-bowling unit in the upcoming season.
When They Finished in WPL 2024, Mumbai Indians were knocked out of the tournament by the eventual champions, RCB, in the Eliminator. The end was sad for a team that had been one of the favorites to start the season.
Auction Round-Up: Strengthening the Squad
Mumbai Indians didn’t need big changes because their core group was stable. However, they made some strategic picks to address specific areas of worry. Here’s a rundown of their auction strategy:
G Kamilini (1.6 crore Indian Rupees): MI hired this talented wicketkeeper-batsman after Delhi Capitals, and they both put in high bids. Kamilini, who recently won the U-19 World Cup, is expected to provide depth in the batting and wicketkeeping areas.
Nadine de Klerk (INR 30 lakh): The South African all-rounder was bought for a starting price. Her experience and versatility make her a valuable addition to the squad.
Akshita Maheshwari (INR 20 lakh): Maheshwari is a good right-arm pacer known for her strong inswingers. She returned strong in local cricket and could be very important when other players are hurt.
Sanskriti Gupta (INR 10 lakh): Another base-price pick, Gupta adds depth to the domestic roster.
Newsmakers: Key Updates
The Injury to Pooja Vastrakar
Pooja Vastrakar is now hurt and is an important part of the MI system. Head coach Charlotte Edwards said she would not be there during the pre-season press conference.
Vastrakar has played only a few domestic games since her injury at the T20 World Cup in the UAE. With the ODI World Cup later this year, MI is unlikely to rush her return, which opens up chances for other players to step up.
Staff Changes in the Backroom
MI also changed the people who coach them. Nicole Bolton, an Australian batter who used to play, took over for Lydia Greenway as the new defense coach from WPL 2025. This change could bring new ideas and energy to the team’s fielding efforts.
Player to Watch: Akshita Maheshwari
Akshita Maheshwari is one of the most exciting prospects in the MI squad. The right-arm pacer, known for her dangerous inswingers, had a great domestic season in 2023–24. Despite being dropped from her state team earlier, she made a roaring comeback with twin hat-tricks in the Under-23 One-Day Trophy.
Maheshwari finished as the second-highest wicket-taker of the season, claiming 23 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 2.66. Rajasthan won Group A without losing because of how well she played. MI signed her at a base price of INR 20 lakh. With Vastrakar’s injury, Maheshwari has a golden opportunity to make her mark in the WPL.
Probable XI for the Upcoming Season
Based on the current squad and form, here’s MI’s likely playing XI:
- Work for Yastika Bhatia: The wicketkeeper-opener will be very important at the top of the order.
- Hayley Matthews: The West Indian all-rounder provides balance with her batting and off-spin.
- Nat Sciver-Brunt: One of the best all-rounders in the world, she’s a key player for MI.
- Harmanpreet Kaur (C): The captain would hit aggressively to keep the middle order together.
- New Zealand’s all-rounder, Amelia Kerr, strengthens both the batting and bowling.
- S Sajana: A domestic talent who can contribute with the bat.
- Amanjot Kaur: This team has another reliable all-rounder.
- Amandeep Kaur or Keerthana Balakrishnan: One of these players could play, depending on how they’re feeling.
- Akshita Maheshwari: The young pacer could make a big difference.
- Shabnim Ismail: The experienced South African pacer brings pace and aggression.
- Saika Ishaque: The left-arm spinner adds variety to the bowling attack.
Full Squad for WPL 2024
Here’s the complete MI squad for the upcoming season:
Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Chloe Tryon, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Jintimani Kalita, Saika Ishaque, Shabnim Ismail, G Kamilini, Amandeep Kaur, Keerthana Balakrishnan, Sanskriti Gupta, and Akshita Maheshwari are the players who started for Harmanpreet Kaur (captain).
Schedule High Points
Mumbai Indians will have a tough schedule in the WPL 2024. For most of the league, they will be on the road. Their last two home games are against Gujarat Giants and RCB at the CCI.
These games are important because they are the last two in the round-robin stage and happen back-to-back nights. MI’s campaign starts on February 15 in Vadodara against Delhi Capitals. They’ll also play three league games there: against RCB, UP Warriorz, and DC.
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Final Thoughts
There are a lot of good players on the Mumbai Indians team, but how well they do in the WPL 2024 will rest on how well their homegrown players do. With new additions like Akshita Maheshwari and G Kamilini, as well as the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, MI has the potential to bounce back and reclaim its throne. Fans can’t wait to see if the team can get over the problems they had last season and come out stronger than ever.
