It’s not just his game, but hers too. And in line with that, the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand has launched a women’s version of the Uttarakhand Premier League 2024 that will run in parallel with the men’s event.
Three teams will battle it out for the trophy with the first match to get underway on Wednesday, September 18, as the Pithoragarh Hurricanes take on the Nainital SG Pipers. The three round-robin matches as well as the final will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun.
With just a few days to go for the women’s event to kick off, here’s a look into the three commanders – the captains-cum-icon players who will show the way for their respective teams.
Mansi Joshi (Mussoorie Thunders)
A fast-bowler with the ability to swing the ball and land early inroads for her side, Mansi Joshi is one of the top players doing the rounds in Uttarakhand. Hailing from Roorkee, the right-arm pacer has also represented Haryana in domestic cricket although she now plies her trade for her home state.
Joshi earned her India cap in 2016 at the Women’s T20 Asia Cup as she went on to debut in the tournament opener against Bangladesh. She returned impeccable figures of 1/8 off three overs as India won comfortably, before bagging the Player of the Match in her next outing against hosts Thailand.
An ODI cap followed in 2017 at the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier before she was named in the 15-member squad that went on to reach the summit clash in the main event in England the same year. With 14 ODIs, 8 T20Is and a Women’s Premier League stint with the Gujarat Giants under her belt, Joshi comes with a plethora of experience that could translate into glory in the inaugural UPL 2024. As captain of the Mussoorie Thunders, Joshi will look to fire thunderbolts with the ball that could upset the apple-cart of the opposition.
Ekta Bisht (Nainital SG Pipers)
A seasoned campaigner with multiple feathers to her cap, Ekta Bisht is a cricketer akin to fine wine for her performances just keep getting better with age.
Born in Almora, Ekta has represented both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in domestic cricket. She is currently the captain of Uttarakhand and her finest achievement as captain of the state came in 2023 when she led the team to the final of the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy.
A clever operator with the ball, the left-arm spinner has snagged 98 wickets from 63 ODIs for India at 21.83 apiece. Five of those famously came in a World Cup 2017 clash against Pakistan in Derby as India defended a modest score of 169 by 95 runs. She also boasts of 53 wickets from 42 T20Is and three wickets from a lone Test in 2014 – one that India went on to win by six wickets against England in Wormsley.
Ekta is also a very agile fielder with her rocket arm capable of impacting games on the field. An inspiration for the next gen in every way possible, she will look to inspire many more as captain of the Nainital SG Pipers in UPL 2024.
Neelam Bisht (Pithoragarh Hurricanes)
Born in Dehradun before going on to represent Punjab in domestic cricket, Neelam Bisht is an all-rounder with match-turning capabilities par excellence. A right-handed batter and a right-arm leg-spinner, she brings the X-factor to the Pithoragarh Hurricanes, the team she will lead in UPL 2024.
Her crafty wrist-spin saw her bag 10 wickets from eight outings in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy 2023 for Punjab. She can also hit the ball a long way down the order and will be tasked with impacting games in clutch moments.
With plenty of domestic experience behind her, Neelam will also count on her knowledge gained during her time at the Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League having rubbed shoulders with some of the best players in the business. Expect plenty of fireworks from her end as she seeks to take the inaugural Women’s UPL 2024 by storm!
