All roads lead to the pinnacle of women’s cricket in India, as Delhi Capitals gear up to lock horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the much-anticipated final of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024. As the excitement builds for the match scheduled for Sunday, March 17, Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning sheds light on the preparations and mindset of her team at the eve of this grand sporting event.
Emerging triumphant through the league stages, Delhi Capitals have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, boasting six impressive victories out of eight games. Lanning’s lineup secured their spot in the final for the second consecutive season, after topping the league just the year before in 2023, only to face a narrow defeat to Mumbai Indians in the closing game.
In contrast, Royal Challengers Bangalore charted their path to the finals on the back of a hard-fought victory over Mumbai Indians in the electrifying eliminator match last Friday. This triumph has given RCB their first crack at the WPL championship. However, they face an uphill challenge against a Delhi side that has dominantly won all four previous encounters with them, including a nail-biting one-run victory in their most recent match on March 10.
Captain Meg Lanning voiced her confidence and anticipation during the pre-match press conference held in New Delhi on Saturday. With a firm belief in her team’s capabilities, she remarked, “We are really in a good space heading into tomorrow. It’s going to be a cracking game. We are really excited to be involved, give ourselves an opportunity to go out there and win it. We are looking forward to taking it on and play our best game of the tournament.”
Lanning’s optimism is palpable and grounded in reality, considering her personal accolade as the leading run-scorer in the history of WPL. With only four runs currently separating her from this season’s highest-run getter Ellyse Perry of RCB, who has amassed a formidable 312 runs, Lanning finds herself in a prime position to add another feather to her cap with 308 runs adorned by four half-centuries in just eight innings.
Reflecting on their opponents, Lanning acknowledged the quality of cricket RCB has displayed, especially in crunch situations. “RCB has played some excellent cricket; they played some great cricket when they were under the pump. What a challenge for our group to go out there and take them on. I have got full confidence that we will be able to deliver what we need to,” she stated with a healthy mix of respect and competitive spirit.
RCB’s form is further bolstered by the prowess of players like Smriti Mandhana, who has installed an air of determination within the team after guiding them to their first WPL final, while Perry continues to weave her magic with both bat and ball.
The WPL final showdown promises to be an exhilarating clash between two stout-hearted teams. With a blend of tactical acumen, stellar performances, and a hunger for redemption, Delhi Capitals, under Lanning’s stewardship, are keen to make amends for last year’s heartbreak and hoist the prestigious trophy.
On the other side, the tenacity and resolve of Royal Challengers Bangalore have been evident throughout the tournament, with key performances turning the tide in their favor at critical junctures. The stage is set for an enthralling encounter, as both teams will invest all their might in the pursuit of WPL glory, in what promises to be a riveting finale to the 2024 season.
