By Zainab Shafiq 
With the start of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 season, teams have had to make key player replacements after unfortunate injuries. Chinelle Henry is one move, as she replaces Australian captain Alyssa Healy at UP Warriorz in WPL 2025, after the latter has been ruled out of the game due to a stress fracture in her right foot.
Healy withdraws after a difficult Ashes series, during which she was unavailable for the T20Is and her inclusion in the series-concluding Test match was always on a tight leash. Even after passing a fitness test, Healy’s comeback will cost her both WPL and the subsequent T20I series against New Zealand.
West Indian multi-utility cricketer Henry looks forward to playing her first WPL match. Known for aggressive batting and handy bowling skills, the 29-year-old has been in good form with a scorching 16-ball 43 during a recent India T20I tour. She has scored 473 runs and taken 22 wickets in 62 T20Is. Her all-around skill will be Warriorz’s hope when they try to get through this crucial stage of the tournament.
Defence champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are busy reshuffling their team. With Sophie Devine on a break with cricket and Kate Cross currently sidelined due to her back injury, RCB roped in Heather Graham and Kim Garth. The two INR 30 lakh each can join the team and inject mileage to the side with their experience. Graham is an allrounder who has played for Mumbai Indians in the past but hasn’t played a WPL match yet. Garth is a strong performer for Australia in the recent Ashes and adds depth to RCB’s bowling attack.
Garth, hailing from Ireland, has confirmed herself as a good all-rounder who has taken 49 wickets in 59 T20I matches. Graham, having the experience of the WBBL with Hobart Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers, has been part of the game for quite a while. The international career might not have much to say but has shown good potential with fewer appearances. Fresh faces might work as a stimulus for RCB to win again.
The opening match of the 2025 season will be a RCB against Gujarat Giants (GG), set to be held on February 14 in Vadodara. This is set to be a very exciting opening of the third edition of WPL as teams continue to settle into their respective line-ups.
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