As the cricketing world turns its gaze towards the lush greens of the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the Women’s Premier League gears up to crown its newest champion in an epic showdown of skill and strategy. The final of WPL 2024 is not just another cricket match; it is a battle of wits between two of the finest cricketers of their generation—Smriti Mandhana and Meg Lanning.
For Smriti Mandhana, the moment carries a weight that goes beyond the boundaries of the cricket field. During her maiden tour to Australia in 2016, Mandhana, then a budding cricketer, witnessed Lanning, an established icon, effortlessly flick a pacer for six over fine leg. Seven years have passed and roles have shifted. Mandhana, now a luminary herself, captains an RCB team that has witnessed a phenomenal turnaround this season.
Languishing just one rung above the last place in the previous edition of WPL, the RCB team has undergone a dramatic transformation. With newfound match-winners like Asha Shobana, Ellyse Perry, and Mandhana leading the charge, they find themselves on the precipice of glory. The emergence of the domestic talent, like that of Shobana, has been a testament to the positive changes under Mandhana’s stewardship. Praising her teammate’s performance, Mandhana highlighted Shobana’s hunger and experience, which has been pivotal in tight fixtures, including a nail-biting two-run victory over UP Warriorz.
Mandhana’s exemplary leadership was again on display in the nerve-wracking Eliminator against the formidable Mumbai Indians, where RCB managed to chase down a target of 136 to secure their spot in the final. As the players felt the tension of the high-stakes game, it was Mandhana and Sophie Devine’s calming presence that saw the team through, according to teammate Georgia Wareham.
Acknowledging the pressures and responsibilities of leadership, Mandhana reflects on her own journey and the advice she received from Lanning after RCB’s less than stellar performance last season. A 10-15 minute conversation following a match against DC proved invaluable, reinforcing the importance of peer support in professional sport. Lanning’s perspective has clearly made an impact on Smriti, who acknowledges her longstanding admiration for the Australian cricketer’s formidable prowess on the field.
Meg Lanning, on her part, has been transparent about her team’s game strategy. Smriti Mandhana’s ability with the bat makes her a prime target for the Australian team, aiming to neutralize her threat early in the innings. Lanning praises Mandhana’s maturation into her role as captain and her substantial contributions to RCB’s impressive season.
Both captains enter the final with history on the line, determined to claim a victory that has eluded their male counterparts in the IPL for 16 years. For Mandhana, it’s not only a chance to defeat her idol but also an opportunity to cement her leadership credentials with a prestigious silverware that thus far is absent from Lanning’s decorated trophy cabinet.
As the countdown to the much-anticipated final begins, cricket aficionados are treated to a narrative of respect, growth, and rivalry. With both captains ready to lead their sides to a historic win, the stage is set for a gripping contest that promises to keep spectators on the edge of their seats. As Sunday night approaches, only one question remains: Will Mandhana’s tactical brilliance triumph, or will Lanning’s experience and hunger for the elusive WPL trophy prevail? Only time will tell as the WPL awaits its new champion in a finale that is sure to be etched in cricketing lore.
