A week or more ago, the first ever Women’s Premier League (WPL) Auction took place and the season kicked off on 4th March 2023 as well. A historic day for women’s cricket across the world, the first game of the inaugural TATA WPL 2023 took place between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. And a few unknown names came to the fore, including that of Saika Ishaque.
There was plenty hype over the WPL 2023 season and it kicked off with a bang, with the highest score in Indian women’s T20 cricket recorded. Put in to bat first, Mumbai Indians got a massive 207/5 in their 20 overs thanks to a great start from West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews, followed by the captain Harmanpreet Kaur hitting big towards the end, with 65(30).
Who is Mumbai Indians’ Saika Ishaque?
While it was all fireworks in the 1st innings, Mumbai had Gujarat Giants bowled out for 64 runs in less than 16 overs, recording a massive 143-run victory to kick off their WPL 2023 season. And while Harmanpreet was awarded the player of the match trophy and cheque, all eyes and ears turned towards left-arm orthodox spinner, Saika Ishaque.
The WPL is supposed to bring lesser known women cricketers to the limelight and we saw this happen on the first day itself, with Ishaque not having played plenty of professional cricket at the highest level prior to this. In fact, the internet wants to know ‘Who is Saika Ishaque?‘ as the 27-year old bagged 4/11 on her WPL debut, when most were not even sure who she is and whether she’ll make the playing eleven or not.
SEE ALSO: List of top online sports betting websites
Playing for a franchise like Mumbai Indians, it’s a great fillip for her cricketing career as she’s only played for Kalighat Club Women, the Bengal Women’s team, and the Trailblazers in the shortened edition of the Women’s IPL in the past. Prior to this tournament starting, she also played the 2022 Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy, where she picked 3 wickets in 2 games for India A.
Here however, she bagged 4 wickets on her WPL 2023 debut, picking pretty crucial wickets that too, those of Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Mansi Joshi, and Monica Patel. Having been picked up for just 10 Lakh by Mumbai Indians in the WPL 2023 Auction, it’s great to see her ending with 4/11 in WPL 2023 Match 1, having bowled just 3.1 overs in her spell as well. See some of her highlights here:
Saika Ishaque and Amelia Kerr have been unplayable tonight 🫡
Yeh raha proof 👇😉 #OneFamily #MumbaIndians #WPL2023 #GGvMIpic.twitter.com/g19J2cK1c8
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 4, 2023
It was a great day for spin at the DY Patil Stadium with New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr also having a good day, ending with 2/12 in her 2 overs. Mumbai Indians Women had a great start to their WPL 2023 campaign and if they continue this way, they’re sure to be a force to reckon with in this WPL 2023 season. Let’s see if they keep up the dominance for the rest of the season as well.
For more cricket news from across the world and updates on WPL 2023 upcoming players and stars, stay tuned to ReadScoops.com.
Sign-up to Rajabets and get 1,000 as FREE cash bonus
