Delhi Capitals are set to take on the Gujarat Giants in their last league-phase encounter of the Women's Premier League 2025 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday.
With the league stage nearing its conclusion, Delhi will aim to strengthen its position at the top and continue its dominant run in the tournament. Delhi are the only team to officially qualify for the Playoffs. A victory against the Giants would mostly confirm their berth in the WPL 2025 Final.
On the other hand, the Gujarat Giants find themselves in a must-win situation. Currently positioned third on the points table, a win will take them closer to booking a playoff spot.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Delhi have had the upper hand in their battles against the Giants, winning four out of the five WPL encounters, including the reverse fixture earlier this season. Delhi had won that match by six wickets.
However, Gujarat have won two back-to-back matches for the first time in WPL and would be riding high on confidence. With qualification on the line, they will leave no stone unturned to edge out their fierce opponents.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Meg Lanning: The ever-reliable skipper has been in stellar form, leading from the front with her composed batting. Her ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed makes her a key asset at the top. Against Gujarat's spin-heavy attack, Lanning's experience will be crucial in guiding Delhi to a strong total.
Jess Jonassen: JJ has been instrumental with both bat and ball, delivering match-winning performances in crucial games. Her left-arm spin can break partnerships in the middle overs, and her ability to accelerate with the bat makes her a dangerous player. The decision to bring her in at No. 3 has also worked extremely well. Expect her to play a key role in both departments.
Shafali Verma: A powerhouse at the top of the order, Shafali’s aggressive batting can dismantle any bowling attack in the powerplay. She has been a wicket every bowler craves when she is on the crease. All she needs to do is find her rhythm early, and she can give Delhi a blistering start.
KEY PLAYER BATTLES
Meg Lanning vs. Kashvee Gautam: This contest will be an exciting battle between experience and raw talent. Lanning’s ability to handle pressure and play calculated shots will be tested against Kashvee’s pace and variations. If the young pacer can strike early, she could put Delhi on the back foot.
Shikha Pandey vs. Beth Mooney: A battle between an experienced pacer and a world-class batter, Shikha’s ability to swing the ball early will be crucial in getting the better of Mooney. If Mooney settles in, she has the capability to anchor Gujarat’s innings and build a match-winning knock.
Shafali Verma vs. Ashleigh Gardner: Fire meets fire in this thrilling contest. Shafali’s explosive stroke play will be up against Gardner’s off-spin, which has troubled aggressive batters in the past. If Shafali manages to dominate Gardner, it could set the tone for a big total for Delhi.
DELHI CAPITALS FULL SQUAD
Meg Lanning (C), Alice Capsey, Sarah Bryce, Annabel Sutherland, Minnu Mani, Shafali Verma, Arundhati Reddy, N Charani, Shikha Pandey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Nandini Kashyap, Sneha Deepthi, Jess Jonassen, Niki Prasad, Taniyaa Bhatia, Marchizanne Kapp, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu.
WHERE AND WHEN TO WATCH
Catch all the action LIVE on Star Sports Network or watch the LIVE streaming on JioHotstar from 7:30 PM onwards.
