As the Women’s Premier League gears up for a heated top-of-the-table clash, Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur is all set to lead her team once again after missing out on two matches due to a minor injury. The stage is set for a riveting rematch where both Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) are ready to battle it out on the field, with their eyes set firmly on victory.
Harmanpreet Kaur, who had been sidelined due to a niggle, is back to captain the Mumbai Indians as they take on the Delhi Capitals in what promises to be a high-octane clash in WPL 2024. This much-awaited game also marks the first match of the season to be hosted in Delhi, adding an extra layer of excitement for fans and players alike.
The Mumbai Indians, who are the defending champions, have brought back not only Kaur but also Shabnim Ismail, making two strategic changes to their lineup. Issy Wong and Keerthana Balakrishnan will not take the field in this crucial match. Over at the Delhi Capitals’ camp, there’s been a single, yet significant, change with Marizanne Kapp being drafted back into the playing XI at the expense of Annabel Sutherland.
The coin toss unfolded with a clear strategy in mind for the Mumbai Indians. “We’ll bowl first,” declared Kaur. “Don’t have experience with this pitch, so bowling first is the better option. I’m feeling good, nice to be back, new day and looking forward to it.”
Kaur’s counterpart, DC captain Meg Lanning, expressed confidence in her squad’s ability to handle any condition and emphasized the team’s growth over the games. “It’s a nice venue to play – just one change for us. Kappy comes back tonight, she replaces Annabel. We’ve got the squad to handle any conditions. We have got better with each game, different players standing up at different times, it’s important to keep winning though,” Lanning stated.
The three players returning to action for this match – Kapp, Ismail, and Kaur – were previously out due to niggles, with Kapp and Ismail missing one game and Kaur out for the last two encounters due to her injury.
Delhi warmly welcomes the Women’s Premier League for the first time, setting a new chapter for the sport in the city. The previous 11 matches took place at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, and now Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium will host the remaining 11 games, including the much-anticipated Eliminator and final.
Both DC and MI have started their season on a strong note, with both teams securing three wins out of their first four matches. Delhi sits at the top of the table with an impressive Net Run Rate (NRR) of 1.251, while Mumbai follows closely with an NRR of 0.402. It’s not just points that are at stake; it’s the momentum and psychological edge that comes with prevailing over a direct rival.
Keen to get a glimpse of the playing XI for both teams?
Mumbai Indians Women (Playing XI): Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia(w), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, S Sajana, Amanjot Kaur, Humaira Kazi, Saika Ishaque, Shabnim Ismail.
Delhi Capitals Women (Playing XI): Meg Lanning(c), Shafali Verma, Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Taniya Bhatia(w), Arundhati Reddy, Titas Sadhu, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav.
Fans across the cricketing world are eager to watch this high-stakes rematch between the top contenders of the Women’s Premier League. With the return of key players and the teams’ constant evolution, this game is all set to be a cracker of a contest full of strategies, rivalries, and top-notch cricketing action.
