Could a lack of high-quality pace derail Mumbai Indians' WPL dreams?

WPL 2023 TEAM GUIDE: Mumbai Indians spent big on key players Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur, and their batting looks strong. But is Pooja Vastrakar going to have to carry the bowling? NICK FRIEND takes a look

Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur

Coach: Charlotte Edwards

Headliners

Harmanpreet Kaur: A priority for MI, and the India captain will perform the same role at her new franchise. A fierce competitor and a world-class batter, she has experience of The Hundred, the Kia Super League and the Women's Big Bash.

Nat Sciver-Brunt: Arguably the world's leading allrounder, she cost MI a huge wad of their budget at £320,000. She comes into the WPL off the back of an excellent Women's T20 World Cup campaign, where she looked in prime touch with the bat.

Amelia Kerr: The New Zealand allrounder is one of the best leg-spinners in the women's game, with a superb googly and – at 22 – an acquisition who could become a long-time feature at Mumbai. She may well be asked to anchor Edwards' side's batting at No.3.

One to watch

Chloe Tryon looks an excellent piece of business at £30,000. Few hit a longer ball in the women's game than the South African, who is also a useful left-arm spinner. She or Heather Graham will fill MI's fourth overseas berth.

India allrounder Pooja Vastrakar [Rodger Bosch/AFP via Getty Images]

Why they'll win the WPL

For MI to win the WPL in 2023, they need their big players – principally Kaur and Sciver – to be at their very best.

The pair cost £500,000 between them, while Pooja Vastrakar came in at a further £190,000. Vastrakar is India's fastest bowler and is an improving batter, who will fill a spot in the lower middle order.

Hayley Matthews looked in good touch during the Women's T20 World Cup and was a late addition at £30,000; she will open the batting alongside Yastika Bhatia, whose left-handedness – she will keep wicket as well – gives MI a point of difference at the top. Amanjot Kaur is an up-and-coming allrounder and is an intelligent purchase.

Why they won't win the WPL

It's a top-heavy side without much high-end experience in the bowling department. Vastrakar, Sciver-Brunt, Matthews, Kerr, Graham and Tryon all offer all-round options, which gives MI the option of stacking their batting but also places plenty of pressure on their big players.

They spent big on their core, which means their squad is only 17-strong and doesn't necessarily have the depth of their rivals.

Meanwhile, Vastrakar is still raw and Sciver-Brunt is a handy seamer but not a match-winner with the ball; they are the only franchise without a world-class international fast bowler, though Issy Wong has been signed as a back-up.

Nat Sciver-Brunt in action for England at the 2023 T20 World Cup [Marco Longari/AFP via Getty Images]

Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver, Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Yastika Bhatia, Heather Graham, Isabelle Wong, Amanjot Kaur, Dhara Gujjar, Saika Ishaque, Hayley Mathews, Chloe Tryon, Humairaa Kaazi, Priyanka Bala, Sonam Yadav, Jintimani Kalita, Neelam Bisht

Likely line-up: Bhatia, Matthews, Kerr, Kaur, Sciver-Brunt, Graham, Vastrakar, Bala, Kaur, Kalita, Ishaque

Fixtures: March 4 – Gujarat Giants, March 6 – Royal Challengers Bangalore, March 9 – Delhi Capitals, March 12 – UP Warriorz, March 14 – Gujarat Giants, March 18 – UP Warriorz, March 20 – Delhi Capitals, March 21 – Royal Challengers Bangalore

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