WPL 2024/25, DC-W vs MI-W Ultimate Match Preview

03/14/2025 10:08 PM

WPL 2024/25, DC-W vs MI-W Ultimate Match Preview

Who’s enjoying

Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Delhi Capitals (DC)
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, March 15, 2025

What to anticipate: Two highly effective line-ups

Is it 2023 again? MI and DC, two constantly good groups with all-star line-ups, meet once more within the WPL last. Whereas DC have breezed into the ultimate this season, MI are coming in battle-hardened, having needed to take the circuitous route by enjoying three matches in 4 days to get there.

DC have been robust in most departments, and have gotten their choice calls proper all through the season. Their captain Meg Lanning hit type late within the event, Shafali Verma has continued to churn out the runs on the high of the opposite, and the transfer to advertise Jess Jonassen to No. 3 has paid off. However for DC to look extra threatening, they’d need their center order to step up additional. Their center order (Nos. 4 to 7) collectively averages 17.50, the bottom this season, and have struck at 116.66, which is the second-lowest amongst all groups.

MI’s line-up additionally drips with energy and power. Powerplay bowling has been one in all DC’s strongest fits, however solely MI have bettered that. DC’s bowlers have taken 50 wickets at 23.84 on this section, whereas MI have 61 wickets at 22.68.

However MI can be enjoying at their dwelling floor – a venue the place they’ve misplaced simply as soon as in seven video games – and that tilts the scales of their favour. DC, although, have had a superb seven days break, and can be coming in with out the strain of getting needed to scramble for a spot within the last. Two heartbreaking finals later, will third time be the attraction for them?

Workforce information: Who will open with Matthews for MI?

MI had promoted Amelia Kerr to the opening slot, and pushed Yastika Bhatia down the order for a few video games. Whereas Yastika was in a position to make fast runs from her new place, Kerr, who hasn’t been in the perfect of type with the bat, wasn’t in a position to capitalise on her begins. The order went again to what it was within the Eliminator towards Gujarat Giants (GG), however neither participant made an influence. Will MI swap their positions once more to get the perfect out of Yastika?

MI had additionally introduced in left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque rather than Parunika Sisodia for the Eliminator. Will they decide Ishaque once more for the ultimate after she bowled only one over towards GG?

Mumbai Indians (possible): 1 Hayley Matthews, 2 Amelia Kerr, 3 Nat Sciver-Brunt, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Amanjot Kaur, 6 Yastika Bhatia (wk), 7 S Sajana, 8 G Kamalini, 9 Sanskriti Gupta, 10 Shabnim Ismail, 11 Saika Ishaque

DC, who had been final in motion on March 7, are unlikely to make any modifications to their line-up.

Delhi Capitals (possible): 1 Meg Lanning (capt), 2 Shafali Verma, 3 Jemimah Rodrigues, 4 Annabel Sutherland, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Jess Jonassen, 7 Sarah Bryce (wk), 8 Niki Prasad, 9 Minnu Mani, 10 Shikha Pandey, 11 Titas Sadhu

Gamers to look at: Jemimah Rodrigues and Hayley Matthews

Jemimah Rodrigues has endured a lean season with the bat. She has only one fifty – which got here in a loss – in six innings that embody three single-digit scores and one duck. Rodrigues has dropped all the way down to No. 4 to accommodate Jonassen on the high, which has accomplished the heavy lifting. She’ll be seeking to make a stronger impression in her hometown in crucial match of the event. Rodrigues’ fielding, although, has been top-notch all through the season.

Hayley Matthews discovered correct type with the bat within the Eliminator, however it’s her bowling that has stood out all through the event. She is at present the highest wicket-taker, with 17 wickets at a median of 15.88, and has been profitable in all phases of the event as highlighted by her efficiency within the Eliminator. In the 2023 final, Matthews had bowled a unprecedented spell of three for five in her 4 overs, which included the wicket of Jonassen, and performed an important function in MI’s title win on the Brabourne Stadium.

Sciver-Brunt is three runs away from turning into the primary participant to 1000 WPL runs. She’s additionally seven runs away from turning into the primary participant within the WPL to tally 500 runs in a single season.

Rodrigues, Jonassen and Shikha Pandey can be enjoying their fifth event last as team-mates throughout franchise leagues within the final two years.

Lanning has gained all worldwide titles in her profession. In 2024, she gained her first franchise title with London Spirit within the Ladies’s Hundred. The WBBL would be the solely event left for Lanning to win if DC win on Saturday.

Sruthi Ravindranath is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo