Shreyanka Patil has become the first Indian player to secure a spot in the prestigious Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL). The talented 20-year-old has signed with the Guyana Amazon Warriors, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Shreyanka recently made headlines during her exceptional performance in the Emerging Asia Cup 2023 held in Hong Kong. She played a pivotal role in India’s triumph as champions, taking an impressive nine wickets in just two matches. Her remarkable contribution earned her the well-deserved title of the tournament’s “Player of the Tournament.”
Earlier this year, Shreyanka gained recognition after being recruited by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) in March. Her participation in overseas leagues before her international debut sets her apart as a trailblazer in Indian women’s cricket.
Shreyanka now joins a growing list of talented Indian female cricketers who have had the opportunity to showcase their skills in international T20 leagues. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has permitted its contracted women players to participate in tournaments outside of India. This has led to prominent Indian players such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, and others featuring in prestigious competitions like the Women’s Big Bash League, The Hundred, and the Women’s Cricket Super League.
The much-anticipated Women’s Caribbean Premier League is scheduled to commence on August 31 in Barbados, with the final set to take place on September 10 in Trinidad. The tournament will witness the participation of renowned Caribbean cricketers like Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, and Stafanie Taylor. In addition, overseas players from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and England will also be part of the expanded Massy WCPL.
Among the international stars participating in the 2023 Massy WPL are New Zealanders Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Fran Jonas, and Australians Laura Harris and Amanda-Jade Wellington. South African players Dane van Niekerk, Mignon du Preez, and Shabnim Ismail will also be adding their skills to the event.
This season of the WCPL will feature an expanded schedule, with seven matches scheduled to be played in both Barbados and Trinidad. The three teams competing in the 2023 edition are the Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, and the Trinbago Knight Riders.