Meg Lanning and Harmanpreet Kaur exchanged smiles and fortunately posed for photos with the Women’s Premier League (WPL) trophy on the eve of the much-awaited last. The two addressed the media collectively after which walked across the Brabourne Stadium, obliging the tv crew with video bytes and photos.
Even because the temperature soared on Saturday afternoon, each Lanning and Harmanpreet regarded nonchalant and clearly, have been below no stress forward of the summit conflict between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians.
Over the previous few years, Harmanpreet and Lanning have met one another in a match last twice – the T20 World Cup in 2020 and the Commonwealth Games last final yr – donning the Indian and Australian colors respectively. And on each the events, Lanning’s group got here out victorious.
However, Harmanpreet clarified that she’s going to stroll onto the sector on Sunday, with out serious about the previous and can give attention to clinching the title for Mumbai Indians.
“This is a different scenario, our team is doing well and so is Meg Lanning’s team. Whatever happened is in the past and we cannot change that. We want to do well in the future,” Harmanpreet stated with a smile as Lanning regarded on.
Having led Delhi Capitals from the entrance, the soft-spoken Lanning additionally goals for an ideal end after displaying high-intensity cricket over the past fortnight. Delhi Capitals dominated the second half of the match and stormed straight into the ultimate in type, whereas Mumbai Indians got here into the ultimate driving on an all-round group effort towards UP Warriorz within the eliminator.
Focus on Sciver-Brunt
The different night time, Mumbai banked on Nat Sciver-Brunt’s belligerent half-century to romp dwelling, however within the last, the group shall be hoping for captain Harmanpreet to step up and ship. She began off with three half-centuries, however because the match progressed, the India captain has seen a dip in type with scores of 25, 23, 2 and 14. And forward of the summit conflict, Harmanpreet must experience on her expertise and be certain that she leads from the entrance on the Brabourne Stadium, the place Mumbai has gained all three video games to date.
Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten 72 paved the way in which for Mumbai’s victory within the eliminator.
| Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI
The focus, nevertheless, will nonetheless be on Sciver-Brunt after her heroics within the eliminator. Coming in at a time when the group was precariously positioned, the England worldwide clobbered the Warriorz bowlers throughout the park. The Mumbai Indians followers shall be hoping for her to return out all weapons blazing within the last as properly.
She is the third-highest run-scorer with 272, at an enviable common of 54.40. And not simply with the willow, she has additionally claimed 10 wickets in 9 video games. And this all-round brilliance makes her one of the vital sought-after gamers within the match and it will be a problem for the Capitals to cease her from happening one more rampage.
Kapp reveals the way in which
In the match to date, each Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals have been ruthless and medical at numerous phases and after a somewhat low-profile begin, the Capitals have gone on to flex muscle tissue. And with Lanning, who dons the Orange Cap with 310 runs in her kitty, round, the group hopes to stay calm and play to its power. While the Indian batters have been somewhat on and off with their performances, all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has been the highest performer with 159 runs and 9 wickets in eight matches. Her all-round performances have come in useful for the Capitals in crunch occasions and so as to add to it, the younger Alice Capsey has proved her mettle with some power-hitting within the center overs.
Marizanne Kapp has been the standout for the Delhi outfit with each bat and ball.
| Photo Credit: KUNAL PATIL/PTI
And, when Lanning takes the sector on Sunday, it will be fascinating to see how she handles her gamers and whether or not she decides to carry again Tara Norris. Jemimah Rodrigues has struggled within the match to date, whereas Shafali Verma has did not convert breezy begins. But each the gamers have immense expertise and sufficient expertise to rise to the event and ship and Capitals will count on them to step up when it issues essentially the most.
The Saika issue
However, by way of spin bowling, Mumbai has the sting with Saika Ishaque in its ranks. The spinner from Kolkata has been the flavour of the season, offering her group with well timed breakthroughs. She is simply two wickets away from changing into WPL’s highest wicket-taker forward of UP Warriorz’ Sophie Ecclestone (16), and the ultimate will give her a chance to not solely obtain the non-public milestone, but additionally pave the way in which for the group’s victory.
Young Isabelle Wong, who claimed a hat-trick within the eliminator, too has confirmed her price with 13 wickets, adopted by Amelia Kerr (12 wickets).
So, when the 2 groups meet for one final time on this version of the match, some fiery performances will definitely be on show. While Lanning wish to add the WPL trophy to her cupboard after profitable the T20 World Cup in South Africa not too long ago, for Harmanpreet, it is going to be a chance to settle scores with ‘Captain Meg’ and information Mumbai Indians dwelling in a packed stadium.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com