The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has introduced a new generation of outstanding batters to the world of franchise cricket. Since the tournament began, several players have impressed fans with their consistency, technique, and ability to score important runs against strong bowling attacks.
Among the many batting statistics used to evaluate performance, batting average remains one of the most useful. It helps explain how consistently a batter contributes runs before being dismissed. While strike rate measures scoring speed, batting average provides insight into reliability and the ability to build meaningful innings over time.
The best batting averages in WPL history are shaped by several factors, including the number of matches played, the batter’s position in the lineup, the frequency of not-out innings, and the quality of opposition. This article explores the importance of batting average, the players associated with consistent WPL batting, and the methods used to understand this statistic in modern T20 cricket.
Best Batting Averages in WPL History
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has quickly become an important platform for talented batters from India and around the world. Since its launch, the competition has delivered memorable innings, dramatic run chases, and consistent performances from some of the finest names in women’s cricket.
Among the many statistics used to measure batting performance, batting average remains one of the most valuable. It indicates how many runs a player scores, on average, before being dismissed. While strike rate focuses on speed, batting average highlights reliability, stability, and the ability to contribute throughout a tournament.
In T20 cricket, maintaining a strong batting average can be challenging. Players are expected to attack regularly, take calculated risks, and score quickly against high-quality bowling attacks. A batter who consistently produces runs while avoiding unnecessary dismissals can become a major asset to a franchise.
This article explores the meaning of batting average, the players associated with consistent WPL performances, and the factors that influence batting averages in the tournament.
What Is Batting Average in Cricket?
Batting average is calculated by dividing a batter’s total runs by the number of times they have been dismissed.
Batting average = Total runs scored ÷ Number of dismissals
For example, if a player scores 400 runs and is dismissed 10 times, their batting average is 40.00.
Not-out innings are important because they increase a player’s total runs without adding to the number of dismissals. This means that a batter who frequently remains unbeaten may have a higher average than another player with a similar number of runs.
In T20 cricket, batting average should not be viewed in isolation. Strike rate, total runs, balls faced, batting position, and match conditions also help explain a player’s overall contribution.
Why Batting Average Matters in the WPL
A high batting average usually reflects a batter’s ability to remain productive across multiple matches. In a tournament as competitive as the WPL, consistent run-scoring can help a team maintain momentum throughout the season.
A batter with a strong average may be able to:
- Build important partnerships.
- Stabilise the innings after early wickets.
- Guide a difficult run chase.
- Provide consistency at the top or middle of the order.
- Reduce pressure on other batters.
However, a high average does not always mean that a player is the most aggressive batter in the competition. Some players focus on building long innings, while others attack from the first delivery and accept greater risks.
The best way to assess a batter is to study average alongside strike rate and the role assigned by the team.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Consistent Batting Contributions
Harmanpreet Kaur has been an important figure in the WPL since the competition began. As the captain of Mumbai Indians, she has contributed with both leadership and middle-order batting.
Her batting style combines power with experience. She can rotate the strike during difficult periods and attack bowlers when the team needs a faster scoring rate.
Harmanpreet often bats in situations where the match requires careful decision-making. If her team loses early wickets, she may need to rebuild the innings. If the opening batters provide a strong start, she can take advantage of the platform and increase the scoring rate.
During the 2026 WPL season, Harmanpreet recorded a batting average of 68.40, according to published tournament statistics. This figure reflected her consistency during that edition of the competition.
Her performances demonstrate how an experienced middle-order batter can combine controlled stroke play with match awareness.
Natalie Sciver-Brunt and Reliable Run-Scoring
Natalie Sciver-Brunt has established herself as one of the most dependable batters in women’s franchise cricket. Representing Mumbai Indians in the WPL, she has produced important innings across different match situations.
Sciver-Brunt’s technique allows her to play effectively against both pace and spin. She is capable of scoring through the off side, using her feet against spinners, and finding gaps when the field is spread.
One of her major strengths is adaptability. She can act as an anchor when wickets fall early or become an attacking batter when the team requires quick runs.
In the 2026 WPL season, Sciver-Brunt registered a batting average of 64.20 in the published statistics. Her ability to score heavily while remaining difficult to dismiss highlighted her value to Mumbai Indians.
Her performances also show why batting average is particularly useful when evaluating players who regularly contribute in pressure situations.
Smriti Mandhana’s Role as a Reliable Opener
Smriti Mandhana is one of the most recognisable names in women’s cricket and a key batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. As an opener, she is responsible for giving her team a strong beginning while managing the risks associated with facing the new ball.
Mandhana is known for her elegant timing, powerful drives, and ability to find gaps in the field. She can score quickly when conditions are favourable, but she is also capable of building an innings patiently.
Opening batters face a unique challenge. They must attack during the powerplay, when fielding restrictions create scoring opportunities, but they must also deal with fresh bowlers and movement in the air.
Mandhana’s consistency has made her an important part of RCB’s batting structure. Her ability to contribute runs across a long tournament is valuable because a strong opening batter can influence the direction of an innings from the beginning.
Her performances in major WPL matches have also highlighted the importance of experience when handling pressure.
Meg Lanning’s Technique and Stability
Meg Lanning has played a significant role in the development of the WPL. Representing Delhi Capitals, she has brought international experience, leadership, and a technically sound batting approach to the competition.
Lanning’s style is based on timing, placement, and intelligent shot selection. Rather than depending entirely on power, she often uses gaps in the field to maintain a steady flow of runs.
Her approach is particularly useful in the top order. A batter who remains at the crease for a long period can provide stability and allow aggressive players to bat around her.
Lanning’s international experience has helped her manage different bowling attacks and challenging match situations. She understands the importance of pacing an innings and adjusting her approach according to the target.
Although batting averages can vary from season to season, Lanning’s consistency makes her an important example of how technique and decision-making contribute to long-term success.
Laura Wolvaardt’s Classical Batting Approach
Laura Wolvaardt has been admired for her technically correct batting and ability to construct innings with control. Her performances in women’s franchise cricket have shown the value of timing and placement in the T20 format.
Wolvaardt is particularly strong through the off side. Her cover drives and ability to find gaps allow her to score efficiently without taking unnecessary risks.
In the WPL, she has represented Gujarat Giants and has been an important part of the team’s batting plans. Her ability to remain composed against quality bowling makes her a useful player during both powerplay overs and longer middle-order phases.
A batter like Wolvaardt demonstrates that a strong batting average does not always depend on constant boundary hitting. Rotating the strike, choosing the right deliveries, and maintaining concentration can be equally important.
Her style also highlights the importance of adapting traditional batting technique to the demands of modern T20 cricket.
The Influence of Not-Out Innings
Not-out innings play a major role in batting average calculations. When a batter remains unbeaten, their runs are added to their total, but the innings does not increase the number of dismissals.
This can significantly improve the average of a player who regularly finishes successful chases or remains at the crease until the end of an innings.
Finishers and lower-order batters may benefit from this calculation because they sometimes remain unbeaten after their teams reach the target. However, their averages must be considered alongside the number of innings and balls faced.
A player with a high average after a small number of appearances may not have the same statistical significance as someone who has maintained a similar figure over several seasons.
For this reason, meaningful comparisons should include a minimum number of innings or runs.
Batting Position and Its Effect on Average
A player’s batting position can influence their average considerably.
Openers have more opportunities to face deliveries and build substantial innings. They may also face the strongest new-ball attacks and have a greater chance of being dismissed early.
Middle-order batters enter the game under different circumstances. They may need to rebuild after early wickets or accelerate after a strong opening partnership.
Lower-order batters often have fewer opportunities to score. They may enter during the final overs and remain unbeaten more frequently, which can influence their average.
Therefore, comparing players from different batting positions requires careful consideration. A batter’s average should be analysed alongside their role, number of innings, balls faced, and match responsibilities.
The Relationship Between Average and Strike Rate
Batting average and strike rate measure different aspects of performance.
A high average indicates that a batter regularly scores runs before being dismissed. A high strike rate indicates that the player scores those runs quickly.
A successful T20 batter ideally contributes in both areas, but teams may value one statistic more depending on the player’s role.
For example, an opener may be expected to score quickly during the powerplay while also building a sizable innings. A middle-order batter may be asked to stabilise the team after wickets fall. A finisher may have to score at an extremely high rate during the final overs.
A player with a moderate strike rate but a high average may provide stability. Another player with a high strike rate but a lower average may create rapid momentum.
Both profiles can be useful, depending on the team’s strategy.
The Role of Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch conditions can influence batting average in the WPL. Some surfaces provide consistent bounce and allow batters to play attacking strokes with confidence. Others may be slow, uneven, or difficult to judge.
On a good batting pitch, players can rely on timing and shot execution. On a slower surface, they may need to wait for the ball and use more controlled strokes.
Dew can also influence matches, particularly during evening games. A wet ball may make it difficult for bowlers to maintain control, while the ball may travel more easily across the outfield.
Weather conditions, ground dimensions, and the quality of the opposition all influence a batter’s ability to remain at the crease.
Consequently, batting averages should be viewed within the context of the venues and seasons in which they were recorded.
The Importance of Shot Selection
Shot selection is one of the most important skills behind a strong batting average.
T20 cricket encourages attacking play, but attempting to hit every delivery can increase the risk of dismissal. Successful batters identify scoring opportunities and avoid taking unnecessary chances.
A batter may choose to defend a difficult delivery, rotate the strike against a strong bowler, or attack a ball that enters their preferred scoring area.
This decision-making process becomes especially important during the middle overs, when the field is spread and bowlers use variations to restrict scoring.
Players with strong batting averages often demonstrate patience and awareness. They understand that one well-timed boundary can be more valuable than several risky shots.
The Growth of Indian Batting Talent
The WPL has created an important platform for Indian batters to compete alongside international stars. This exposure has helped domestic players develop greater confidence and improve their understanding of high-level T20 cricket.
Young batters can learn how international players prepare for matches, analyse bowling attacks, and manage pressure. They also gain experience against a wide range of bowling styles.
The presence of established players such as Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur has strengthened the competitive environment. Their performances provide examples of how consistency and tactical awareness can shape a successful career.
As the tournament continues to grow, more Indian batters are likely to challenge the established statistical records. The development of domestic cricket could also lead to greater depth in batting lineups across the league.
How Statistics Help Teams Build Their Batting Lineups
Modern WPL teams use data to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their players. Batting average is one part of this analysis.
Coaches and analysts may examine a player’s performance against pace, spin, left-arm bowling, and different match situations. They may also study how often a batter scores during the powerplay or final overs.
Other useful measurements include:
- Strike rate against specific bowling types.
- Boundary percentage.
- Dot-ball frequency.
- Average during successful run chases.
- Performance under pressure.
- Runs scored at different venues.
These statistics help teams determine the best batting combinations. A player with a strong average may be used to stabilise the innings, while a high-impact striker may be promoted when the team needs rapid runs.
Why Career Averages Need Proper Qualification
A list of the best batting averages in WPL history should always include clear qualification rules. Without a minimum number of innings or runs, the figures may be influenced by small sample sizes.
A player who has scored 100 runs without being dismissed could technically have an extremely high average. However, that number may not be comparable with a batter who has scored more than 1,000 runs across several seasons.
Career averages should therefore be evaluated alongside total runs, innings played, dismissals, and balls faced.
It is also important to distinguish between a single-season average and a career average. A player may enjoy an exceptional season without maintaining the same level of performance over multiple editions.
Clear statistical criteria help make comparisons more meaningful and transparent.
The Future of Batting Average Records in the WPL
The WPL is still developing, and its batting records are likely to change as more seasons are completed. With greater exposure, improved training facilities, and advanced performance analysis, players may become even more consistent.
Young batters are learning how to manage pressure, adapt to different pitches, and prepare for specialised bowling plans. International players are also bringing new techniques and strategic ideas to the competition.
Future batting averages may be influenced by improvements in fitness, shot selection, match preparation, and data-driven coaching.
As teams become more familiar with the tournament, the competition for statistical records is likely to become stronger. Players who can combine reliability with attacking intent will remain especially valuable.
The best batting averages in WPL history represent consistency, discipline, and the ability to contribute meaningful runs over time. Players such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning, and Laura Wolvaardt have demonstrated different ways of building successful T20 innings.
Batting average is an important statistic, but it should not be considered separately from strike rate, total runs, batting position, and match conditions. A batter’s true value depends on how effectively their performances support the team’s objectives.
As the Women’s Premier League continues to expand, new players will challenge existing records and bring fresh approaches to batting. The most successful performers will be those who can remain consistent while adapting to the fast-changing demands of modern T20 cricket.
