It’s time for the grand finale of the 2024 Women’s Premier League where Meg Lanning‘s formidable Delhi Capitals Women are all set to clash with Smriti Mandhana‘s resilient Royal Challengers Bangalore Women on Sunday at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
As the Capitals gear up for their second consecutive final appearance in the WPL, the Royal Challengers enter the playoffs for the first time, having secured a thrilling victory over Mumbai Indians Women in a nail-biting Eliminator match to advance to the championship showdown.
Having fallen short against MIW in last season’s final, DCW is determined to reverse its fortunes and clinch the trophy against the unpredictable RCBW in what promises to be an electrifying finale.
With DCW topping the points table with 6 wins and 2 defeats, they’ll draw strength from the passionate home crowd expected to pack the stands, rallying behind their team on this pivotal night of the tournament. Meanwhile, RCBW aims to capitalize on the momentum gained from their dramatic eliminator triumph.
What have they done so far?
Regarding DCW, the Lanning-led side has displayed exceptional performance throughout the tournament, mirroring their previous campaign. With just two losses out of eight games, their resilience on the field shines through.
DCW finished at the top of the points table for the second consecutive time
Despite a setback in the opening match of the current season, the Capitals bounced back with four consecutive comfortable wins. Their winning streak was halted by UP Warriorz in a closely contested match, losing by just one run.
However, they swiftly regained momentum, securing victories in their last two league matches, securing their top spot on the table and a berth in the final.
Conversely, the Bangalore-based franchise experienced a rollercoaster season, witnessing highs and lows. While they began strongly at home, their form dipped in the following five matches, resulting in just one win. Nevertheless, a crucial victory against MIW in their last league match propelled RCBW enabling them to triumph over MIW again in the Eliminator.
Notably, the Eliminator match was a nail-biting affair as RCBW pulled off a remarkable upset, defeating defending champions MIW by 5 runs after the Royal Challengers concluded the tournament in third place on the table, tallying 4 wins and 4 losses.
Head to Head Record
In their WPL encounters, DC and RCB have engaged in a consistently one-sided affair. Throughout the four matches they’ve contested in the tournament history, DC has emerged victorious in all fixtures.
During their last meeting, RCBW came agonizingly close to securing victory and breaking the jinx but Delhi ultimately clinched the game by a slim margin of only one run leaving Smriti’s girls empty-handed.
Key Players
Shafali Verma (Delhi Capitals Women): Shafali Verma, the dynamic force of DC, proved to be instrumental in her team’s success this season with her consistent performances as their opening batter. Recently reaching a milestone of 4000 T20 runs during the match against Gujarat, Shafali has maintained an impressive record, tallying over 250 runs for consecutive seasons.
Despite currently ranking 7th in the list of highest run-getters, she has amassed 265 runs at an impressive average of 37.86 and a striking rate of 155.88, making her the second-highest Indian batsman in terms of strike rate in the ongoing tournament.
Perry’s figures of 4-0-15-6 against MI were the best in WPL history by any bowler
Ellyse Perry (Royal Challengers Bangalore Women): Ellyse Perry, the versatile all-rounder of RCBW, has single-handedly steered her team to victory in several matches with her outstanding performances both with the bat and the ball.
Leading the run charts of the tournament, Perry has hammered 312 runs in 8 innings at an impressive average of 62.40. Additionally, she has been a standout performer with the ball, claiming 7 wickets at an exceptional average of 13.57, the best among all bowlers in the current tournament.
In a crucial do-or-die encounter, Perry’s commanding 66-run innings in the Eliminator proved to be invaluable for her team, particularly when other batsmen struggled against MIW’s bowling attack. Furthermore, Perry’s contribution with the ball in the same match cannot be overlooked, as she dismissed key batsman Yashika Bhatia while maintaining pressure by conceding just 29 runs in her allotted 4 overs.
Predicted XIs
Delhi Capitals Women: Meg Lanning ©, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Alice Capsey, Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Shikha Pandey, Minnu Mani
Royal Challengers Bangalore Women: Smriti Mandhana ©, Sophie Devine, Sophie Molineux, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh (wk), Georgia Wareham, Disha Kasat, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Shraddha Pokharkar, Renuka Singh
Prediction
Based on recent performances, statistical analysis, and home advantage, DCW emerges as the clear frontrunner against RCBW, having maintained an unbeaten record against them. However, when it comes down to the ultimate test on the night of the finale, the team that maintains composure and controls their nerves will ultimately lift the coveted WPL Trophy on Sunday.