Meg Lanning’s side is all geared up and excited to play in front of the home fans for the very first time in the WPL. Following a three-match winning streak that came after a hard-fought 25-run win against the Gujarat Giants, we are set to lock horns against the Mumbai Indians once again in the second leg of the tournament.
The two finalists from last year kicked off the WPL 2024 with a high-octane clash that saw Mumbai register a last-ball win. Following the loss, we have bounced back in empathic fashion, registering three wins in a row with multiple players coming up with impressive performances.
Let’s look at some key things about this clash as we aim to kickstart the Delhi leg of WPL 2024 on a positive note against the reigning champions.
Players to watch out for
Alice Capsey
The English all-rounder had a fantastic outing with the bat against the Mumbai Indians in the previous outing. Batting at no. 3, Capsey scored a remarkable 53-ball 75 in the first match of the WPL 2024.
It is also worth noting that she is the joint highest run scorer for the Delhi Capitals this season, amassing 148 runs in 4 innings. She will look to replicate her performances and go all guns blazing in the upcoming clash.
Radha Yadav
The DC left-arm spinner has been one of the best bowlers in the WPL, registering seven wickets in four games so far while recording an economy of 6.4. Donning the purple cap after our clash against the Gujarat Giants, Radha will be buzzing with confidence and will build on the previous performances.
Jess Jonassen
Playing two matches for us so far, Jess has already put up a near-perfect all-round show in the WPL 2024. The Aussie all-rounder has one of the highest strike rates with the bat while also claiming six wickets to be in the race for the purple cap.
Given how Jonnassen has helped the team get crucial breakthroughs while also playing handy cameos with the bat, it wouldn’t be a surprise if she continues to impress us yet again. Her performance against Mumbai Indians will likely have a key impact on the result of the match.
Key Player Battles:
Meg Lanning vs Amelia Kerr
The DC skipper has been one of our best batters and the joint-highest run scorer for the team so far. Heading into the game on the back of a well-made half century, the seven-time world cup champions will look to perform well against Amelia Kerr, the Mumbai Indians’ best bowler so far.
The New Zealander has taken seven wickets in four matches and is in the race to win the purple cap this year. Interestingly, the duo has had a few interesting faceoffs in the past with Kerr getting out Meg five times and the batter getting 94 against the bowler.
Jess Jonassen vs Hayley Matthews
Delhi Capitals’ rising star Jess Jonassen has been pivotal, with the ball taking crucial wickets in the hour of need. She has the knack of claiming victims in a bunch while being economical. The Aussie star will have a major task at hand in the form of Hayley Matthews.
Jonassen has an excellent record against Matthews, having dismissed her four times in 16 innings and will be expected to replicate such performances again. Matthews, on the other hand, will look to improve her record and get going against the DC star.
Marizanne Kapp vs Yastika Bhatia
Kapp has been one of our best bowlers in the ongoing WPL 2024, with the Proteas all-rounder taking six wickets in three games. Boasting an economy of 6:00, she has played a crucial role in the powerplay overs and restricted the flow of runs for the opposition.
However, she will have a tough opponent to bowl against, in the form of Yastika Bhatia. The wicketkeeper batter plays an aggressive brand of cricket and likes to take the game on. Yastika has also been dismissed once by Kapp, but the batter only strikes at 88 during the face-offs.
This contest right at the start of the innings will surely be an eye-catching affair.
Where to watch:
Match Details: March 5, 7:30 PM IST | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Watch LIVE: Sports 18/JioCinema.
