The Women's Big Bash League 2021 season is the 7th season of the tournament. WBBL 2021 is the semi-professional women's Twenty20 domestic cricket tournament, held in Australia. Australia will commence it from 14 October 2021 to 27 November 2021.

Read also: Women's Cricket: U-19 Women's One-Day Challenger Trophy 2021 starts 2nd November

With a high rise in covid cases in different parts of Australia, the tournament seemed uncertain previously. But lastly, all is well that ends well. 8 teams with their 15 members squad are participating. In the tournament, 22 overseas players have been signed including 8 cricketers from India, 6 from South Africa, 4 from England, 2 from New Zealand 1 from Ireland, and lastly 1 from Sri Lanka.

The Indian players will definitely be a boost for the teams. Their performances against some of the biggest and most successful competitors are praise-worthy.

• Opener Smriti Mandhana and off-spinning all-rounder Deepti Sharma will play in Sydney Thunder.
• The opener Shafali Verma and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav will play in Sydney Sixers.
• Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur will feature in Melbourne Renegades.
• The wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh will feature in Hobart Hurricanes.
• The leg-spinner Poonam Yadav is playing in Brisbane Heat.

They are the 8 Indians set to feature in WBBL 2021. Also, this year will be a new experience for 6 Indian cricketers in action, except Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana.

Harmanpreet Kaur & Jemimah Rodrigues

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The captain of the Indian T20 women's team Harmanpreet Kaur wrote history in 2016 by becoming the first-ever Indian cricketer to feature in the Sydney Thunder WBBL team. But she will be featuring in Melbourne Renegades with debut cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues. Kaur has a good record of her past performances and aggregated 2266 runs in 118 WT20Is including 1 century and 6 half-centuries. Also, she proved her expertise with the ball as well by taking 29 wickets. On the other hand, Jemimah scored 1025 runs in 48 matches.

Smriti Mandhana & Deepti Sharma

Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma joined the Sydney Thunder this year. Mandhana can give a great start as a top-order batter whereas Deepti Sharma is a great cricketer with both bat and ball. Mandhana has her previous experiences of playing in the Brisbane Heat for WBBL. She scored 1918 runs in 82 matches. On the other hand, this season is going to be Deepti's debut tournament. Also, Sharma scored 470 runs in 55 matches and 256 wickets in 55 WT20I matches.

Shafali Verma & Radha Yadav 

Read also: Most runs in women's cricket: Mithali Raj on top

The young cricketers Shafali Verma and Radha Yadav are debuting in WBBL 2021 by being a part of the Sydney Sixers. Verma has the ability to give a good push in the top order. Shafali scored 683 runs in 26 matches. On the other hand, Radha scalp 58 wickets in 40 WT20I matches.

Richa Ghosh

Richa Ghosh is debuting in Hobart Hurricanes. The 18-year-old played only 10 WT20I matches and aggregated 143 runs.

Poonam Yadav

Lastly, the 8th Indian cricketer to play in WBBL 2021 is Poonam Yadav. She is making her debut by playing for Brisbane Heat. Till now she took 98 T20I wickets.

India started the Tri-Nation Women's ODI series with a winning note as they defeated the host Sri Lanka by 9 wickets. India chased down Sri Lanka's 148-run target with 56 balls remaining in the match after Indian spinners dominated the Sri Lankan batters in the first innings.

The match was initially interrupted by rain which resulted in the loss of overs, reducing to 39 overs a side. Indian announced their arrival with an impressively controlled victory at the R. Premadasa Stadium stadium, Colombo.

Indian spinners dominated the game from the start

The Sri Lankan team, batting first, struggled to build partnership and were bowled out for 147 in 38.1 overs. Indian bowlers dominated the entire first inning with Arundhati Reddy dismissing the Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu and getting an early wicket for the team. It followed by an exceptional bowling performance leading to a constant flow of wickets, which completely shattered Sri Lanka’s batting line-up.

Sneh Rana was a star performer, who took 3 crucial wickets for India, with Deepti Sharma and Sree Charani taking 2 wickets each. Additionally, the on-field efforts of the Indian team was commendable in today's match.

During the second inning, India started off comfortably with the bat, without trying to rush things out. The opening pair, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, formed a partnership of 54 runs for the first wicket. Smriti Mandhana missed out on her 31st ODI half-century and was dismissed at 43 (off 46 balls). 

Harleen Deol came to bat next and played composed cricket, scoring 48 runs from 71 balls. Sri Lanka failed to take more wickets, and Harleen Deol sealed the win for India with her exceptional half-century from 62 balls.

Both teams fielded 2 debutants

Kashvee Gautam (22-year-old), who impressed the fans with her bowling for Gujarat Giants in the WPL 2025, along with the star of Delhi Capitals, Sree Charani (20-year-old), made their International debut for India in this match. Charani picked up 2 wickets with an economy of 3.25 in today's match.

Sri Lanka also handed debuts to Malki Madara and Piumi Badalge.

India's shield-like batting power 

The Indian batters showcased an amazing quality of batting in this format. Smriti Mandhana, along with Pratika Rawal, provided a good start in the initial overs. They kept the flow of runs going with their bat. Smriti departed at 43 (from 46 balls) while trying to loft the ball over the bowler (Inoka Ranaweera), and wasn't lucky enough to make it through.

Harleen Deol stepped in after the wicket and made no mistakes, adding 48 runs off 71 balls from her bat. Pratika Rawal scored 50 off 62 balls, putting the winning runs on the board for India.

It felt like Indian batters were quite difficult to get out and stood up like solid walls, without losing their wickets. 

Steady headstart for India

India's win has lift up the team's spirit and confidence to another level. This was also a glimpse of the solid form and composure that the players hold in this Tri-series squad. 

In today's match, each bowler had an economy below 5, and the batters were incredible in chasing down the total, without losing many wickets.

The challenge ahead for Sri Lanka 

This defeat against India serves as a reminder for Sri Lanka to assess and improve their shortcomings. They failed to build partnership throughout the game, which led to a low total on the board. Hasini Perera's 30 from 46 balls was the highest score by a Sri Lankan batter in this match. 

Immediate Reflections and Long-term Goals

This being the ODI World Cup year, the immediate reflections for both the teams would be to shape their strategies, set grounds and make effective adjustments with the stage of the Tri-Nation ODI series among India, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.

Score Summary

SL-W: 147 (38.1/39) | Kavisha Dilhari 25; Sneh Rana 8-31-3

IND-W: 149 (29.4/39) | Pratika Rawal 50* (62); Harleen Deol 48* (71)

Centuries in T20Is are a treat to watch. Over the years, some incredible cricketing talents across the globe have set the bar high with their records. This article celebrates the art of power-hitting by logging the top 10 fastest centuries in Women's cricket.

Check out the Top 10s that left the fans and bowlers amazed in the competitive T20 format.

10. Hayley Matthews | (53 balls) vs Australia, 2023

The West Indies captain Hayley Matthews scored a crucial ton in their record-breaking run chase against Australia. She is known for excelling in the T20 format. They succeeded in defeating Australia on their home soil with the help of this knock in 2023.

Matthews has scored 2 centuries in T20Is so far. It took her only 53 balls for this, which makes it one of the fastest centuries in Women's cricket.

9. Meg Lanning | (53 balls) vs Ireland, 2014

Meg Lanning, the former Australian captain, holds the ninth position with her timeless century against Ireland in the Women's T20 World Cup, 2014. Lanning is one of the finest cricketers of all time, with seven World Cup titles under her name.

She scored 125 runs off 65 balls in this innings and was also the top run-scorer of the tournament.

Also Read: Most matches as captain in Women's T20I history: Harmanpreet Kaur tops the chart

8. Rubina Chhetry | (52 balls) vs Maldives, 2024

The former captain of the Nepal Women's Team, Rubina Chhetry, scored a record-breaking century in a match of ACC Women's Premier Cup against Maldives in 2024. She hit 10 fours and 5 sixes, leading the team to a total of 227 runs on the board. 

Her century off 52 balls paved the way to achieve one of the highest totals of Women's T20Is by an Asian country.

7. Danni Wyatt-Hodge | (52 balls) vs India, 2018

The attacking opener of England Women's Team, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, scored a magnificent century from just 52 balls against India in 2018. She’s widely known for her composed batting style in this format, providing a headstart to the team.

Wyatt helped England reach the milestone of one of the highest successful run chases in the history of Women's T20Is with her vital knock.

Also Read: The Greatest T20I Records That Will Stand the Test of Time

6. Meg Lanning | (51 balls) vs England, 2019

This is yet another ton from the Australian legend that became one of the fastest centuries in women's cricket, making her appear on the list twice. She took 53 balls to score the century, and was also unbeaten in the inning.

Lanning also holds the record for most centuries in Women's ODIs, which says a lot about her exceptional abilities.

5. Fargana Hoque | (51 balls) vs Maldives, 2019

Fargana Hoque, the right-handed Bangladeshi batter scored her maiden T20 century off 51 balls in 2019, which was fastest in a lot. With this remarkable century against Maldives, Hoque became the second woman from Bangladesh to score a T20 century.

4. Harmanpreet Kaur | (49 balls) vs New Zealand, 2018

Harmanpreet Kaur, the current Indian captain, secured the fourth position with her maiden T20 century in 2018. She scored this off just 49 balls during the ICC Women's World T20, against New Zealand.

Kaur showcased some fearless cricketing class and became the first Indian woman to score a century in a T20 International.

Read Also: Harmanpreet Kaur in T20 Women's World Cup: A Name for Milestones and Challenges

3. Tamsin Beaumont | (47 balls) vs South Africa, 2018

Tamsin Beaumont, the right-handed English batter, scored an impressive century off 47 balls against South Africa in 2018. She is known for her ability to score runs in all cricketing formats and noteworthy fielding.

2. Alyssa Healy | (46 balls) vs Sri Lanka, 2019

The current Australian captain, Alyssa Healy, scored her maiden T20 century off 46 balls against Sri Lanka in 2019. In this inning, she played a spectacular knock of 148* from 61 balls, which is the highest individual score in women's T20Is by an Australian. 

This performance brings her to the second position in the table of fastest centuries in Women's cricket of all time.

1. Deandra Dottin | (38 balls) vs South Africa, 2010

As we come down to the final name, Deandra Dottin’s extraordinary century off 38 balls is the long-standing record that has remained in the no. 1 rank for over a decade. This West Indies all-rounder scored her groundbreaking maiden century against South Africa in 2010.

Dottin is the first woman to score a century in the history of T20 cricket. She is widely recognised for her explosive batting power and has set an unforgettable benchmark worldwide. 

Also Read: Top Female Cricketers Who Are Making History

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the Indian Women's Cricket team's Tri-Nation ODI series against Sri Lanka and South Africa in Sri Lanka. The series would start on 27th April 2025. 

India will face South Africa and Sri Lanka twice in the series before the final, only if they qualify for that. The final will be played on 11th May 2025. 

Harmanpreet Kaur will be leading the Women in Blue, while Smriti Mandhana will continue as her deputy. Partika Rawal, who impressed one and all in her debut series against West Indies and Ireland, will continue as Mandhana's partner at the top of the batting order. 

This meant that Shafali Verma, despite a solid Women's Premier League and domestic season, has been sidelined again. Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh will be the key batters for India, along with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who is fresh from leading Mumbai Indians to their second Women's Premier League title. 

Yastika Bhatia is the second wicket-keeper chosen for the series, who also can be an option at the top of the order. 

Deepti Sharma,  Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, and Arundhati Reddy will play the role of bowling all-rounders alongside youngsters like Kashvee Gautam, N Shree Charani and Shuchi Upadhyay earning their maiden India call-ups. 

India's premier fast bowlers, Renuka Singh Thakur and Titas Sadhu, are injured at the moment and were not available for selection. 

India's squad for the tri-series 

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Tejal Hasabnis, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay

Key points from the squad

1. Shafali Verma did not find a place in the squad despite a good domestic season and Women's Premier League 2025. 
2. Yastika Bhatia, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana returned to squad. 
3. Pooja Vastrakar, pace bowling all-rounder, did not get a call up as Arundhati Reddy returned to the squad. 
4. Renuka Singh Thakur and Titas Sadhu were not available for selection due to injuries.
   
5. Kashvee Gautam, N Shree Charani and Shuchi Upadhyay earned their maiden India callups.

India's schedule for the tri-series against Sri Lanka and South Africa

Hello and welcome to the final day of Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025. Tonight, we will bring you the LIVE updates, news and free commentary of the Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians WPL 2025 final match, at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

Mumbai Indians qualified for the final after beating Gujarat Giants in the eliminator. Meantime, Delhi Capitals qualified for the finals for the third time in a row after topping the league chart. 

Delhi Capitals will look for their maiden Women's Premier League title while Mumbai Indians will aim for their second title after they won the trophy in the inaugural season.

So, sit back and relax as we bring you all the LIVE updates of the match to you. Enjoy the coverage. 

Mumbai Indians extended their winning streak to 5-0 against Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League as they defeated them by six wickets on Tuesday in Vadodara. The WPL 2023 champions chased down Gujarat’s 121-run target with 5 wickets in hands and 23 balls to go in the match. 

MI made two changes in the playing XI

Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and handed debut caps to two young India U-19 champions G Kamalini and Parunika Sisodia before electing to bowl first. Both Kamalini and Sisodia were part of the India team which won the U-19 Women’s World Cup earlier this year. Kamalini and Sisodia replaced Jintimani Kalita and Saika Ishaque in the playing XI for them. 

Meantime, Gujarat Giants had an unchanged XI from their win against UP Warriorz on Sunday. 

Making her debut in 𝑀𝐼 𝐵𝓁𝓊𝑒𝓈, it's #MumbaiIndians' 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 - G. Kamalini! 💙#AaliRe #TATAWPL #GGvMI pic.twitter.com/5mTfmzKbii

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 18, 2025

Great start for MI bowlers

Nat Sciver-Brunt struck early for Mumbai, dismissing Beth Mooney for 1 in the second over. In the next over Shabnim Ismail struck to dismiss Laura Wolvaardt for 4. Hayley Matthews then finished Gujarat’s top three by dismissing Dayalan Hemalatha on 9 in the next over.

At 16/3, Gujarat’s only hope was their captain Ashleigh Gardner who had struck back-to-back fifties in the first two games. But in the last over of the power play, Nat Sciver-Brunt got the big fish of Gardner on 10 and all Giants were in deep trouble. 

Harleen Deol (32 off 31) tried her best to assess the situation and take the inning as deep as she could. But, the Indian batter kept losing partners from the other end. Kashvee Gautam was the other batter who reached the 20-run mark but could only add that many runs on the board. 

Hayley Matthews finished with three wickets for 16 while Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr took two wickets each to bundle out Giants for 120 in the first inning.

Read Also | 10 Best Women's Football Players and Leagues You Must Watch in 2025

Shaky start to MI's chase

During the chase Giants got rid of Hayley Matthews (17 off 19) in the fourth over through Tanuja Kanwar to start a possible comeback. Yastika Bhatia also could only add 8 for Mumbai. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also got out in the second ball, after striking a boundary in the first ball against Kashvee Gautam.

But, just like the first match, Nat Sciver-Brunt was the saviour with the bat for Mumbai Indians. With Amelia Kerr (19 off 20), Nat built a 45-run partnership to take Mumbai’s total to 100. 

Nat Sciver-Brunt to rescue MI

Run scoring was not that easy on that wicket but Nat Sciver-Brunt was like playing on a different surface all-together. The English all-rounder completed her second fifty of the season in 33 balls. Nat though could not finish the job as she dragged one down to the stumps from Priya Mishra on 57 from 39 balls. 

S Sajana hit the winning runs for Mumbai as they chased down the total with 23 balls remaining in the inning. With this win, they have now moved up to the number two position on the points table. 

What did the captains say after the match?

 "We just lost wickets in clumps. We put a lot of onus on the top order to score a bulk of the runs but it wasn't to be (tonight)," Gardner said in the post-match presentation. 

"Whatever we talked about in the team meetings, we executed. Really happy everything went according to our plans. The first six overs are very important. Our bowlers did a great job," Harmanpreet Kaur stated. 

Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians: Match Summary

𝐌𝐈 𝟓-𝟎 𝐆𝐆 🔥

Mumbai Indians extend their lead over Gujarat Giants over 5-0 after a stunning five wickets win.

Nat Sciver-Brunt with another fifty plus score for Mumbai Indians. #GGvsMI #GujaratGiants #WPL2025 #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/WDCBgxCOBB

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) February 18, 2025