MI bank on experienced core in quest to bounce back to winning ways

MI bank on experienced core in quest to bounce back to winning ways

Outlook:

• Over-reliance on star-studded allround core cost MI successive games in WPL 2024
• Top-five is well-settled, in form, and strong
• Harmanpreet Kaur looking for recurring supporting acts from MI's domestic roster

2024 Performance:

• Knocked out by RCB in Eliminator

Auction round-up:

• Strong picks: G Kamilini (INR 1.6 crore), Nadine de Klerk (INR 30 lakh), Akshita Maheswari (INR 20 lakh), Sanskriti Gupta (INR 10 lakh)

Newsmaker(s):

• Vastrakar currently injured, likely won't rush her back for One-Day World Cup
• Nicole Bolton replaces Lydia Greenway as new fielding coach from WPL 2025

Watch out for:

• Akshita Maheshwari
  • Right-arm pacer with inswinger
  • 23 scalps at economy of 2.66 in 2023-24 Under-23 One-Day Trophy
  • Signed at base price of INR 20 lakh

Probable XI:

• Yastika Bhatia (wk), Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Amelia Kerr, S Sajana, Amanjot Kaur, Amandeep Kaur/Keerthana Balakrishnan, Akshita Maheshwari, Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque

Full Squad:

• Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia, Sajana Sajeevan, Nadine de Klerk, 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, Akshita Maheshwari

Schedule:

• On the road until final-two league games at CCI
• Begin campaign in Vadodara against Delhi Capitals on February 15
• Play three league matches in Bengaluru