Know Keralite players who are backbones of teams in this WPL season

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s women cricket players have emerged as the backbone of their respective team’s success in the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) . Representing Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals, these golden stars from Kerala have been instrumental in shaping thrilling victories and captivating audiences with their stellar performances on the field.

Among these standout players is Asha Sobhana . Her name might be unfamiliar to many in Kerala, except for avid cricket followers. She was born and raised in the capital city. Previously, she was representing Kerala, and now she plays for Railways and Pondicherry.

Asha’s outstanding bowling performance includes a remarkable 5-wicket haul against the UP Warriorz, which propelled Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to victory. Previously representing Kerala, Asha now plays for Railways and Pondicherry, solidifying her status as a rising star in Indian women’s cricket. RCB acquired Asha for Rs. 10 lakhs in the first season. The 32-year-old all-rounder from Kerala, made history by becoming the first Indian bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in two seasons of WPL. She accomplished this remarkable feat during RCB’s inaugural match in WPL 2024 against UP Warriorz, earning herself the Player of the Match award.

Accompanying Asha Sobhana is Sajeevan Sajana, who has carved her name into the hearts of Mumbai Indians’ fans with her heroic match-winning innings. She is also known as the Kieron Pollard of Mumbai Indians. The top and middle-order batters failed to contribute for Mumbai Indians against Delhi while chasing. Sajana’s contributions, including the last-ball six, that has been invaluable to Mumbai’s campaign. Sajana was acquired by the Mumbai team for Rs. 15 lakh.

Meanwhile, Minnu Mani, the pride of Wayanad, continues to make waves in the cricket arena. As the first Keralite woman to represent Bharat in cricket, Minnu’s versatility in both batting and bowling has made her an indispensable asset for the Delhi Capitals. Minnu was acquired by the Delhi team for a price of Rs 30 lakh.