Women's Premier League (WPL) third season kicks off today with the first match will be between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Giants (GG). Defending champion RCB's captain Smriti Mandhana will miss the team's star all-rounder Sophie Devine. During an interaction at the Star Sports press room, RCB captain Mandhana said: "Devine is one of the best all-rounders in the world and she has played an important role for us. We will definitely feel her absence." New Zealand's Devine withdrew her name from the league before the start of the third season. She cited personal reasons for her withdrawal. Devine has taken a break from cricket. I am quite excited: Harmanpreet Kaur All five team captains were present in the Star Sports press room on Thursday (February 13) before the start of the third season. Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur said that she was excited for the competition with all the teams having picked some good players in the side. She also highlighted how players who did well in the last season made their place in the national team. 22 matches will be played In this season, 22 matches will be played during the 29-day tournament between 5 teams. The eliminator will be held on March 13 and the final on March 15 in Mumbai. This time matches will be held at 4 venues instead of 2. WPL matches are to be held in Lucknow and Vadodara for the first time. Mumbai and Bangalore will once again host the tournament. Bengaluru won the second season Smriti Mandhana-led Bengaluru won the WPL Season-2 title. The team defeated Delhi Capitals by 8 wickets in the final. All-rounder Ellyse Perry was the tournament's top scorer. She scored 347 runs in 9 matches. Meanwhile, spinner Shreyanka Patil was the top wicket-taker with 13 wickets. The team won 4 matches and lost 4 out of 8.Original Article