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THE TIMES OF INDIA | Mar 17, 2024, 18:22:41 IST
Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Live Score Updates: It has been a thrilling second season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Close games, high-octane batting, sixes galore, and near sell-out crowds have highlighted the tournament. It could’ve been a repeat of last year’s final with Delhi Capitals once again taking on Mumbai Indians. But, Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bangalore pulled off a heist and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the Eliminator against MI on Friday. It means Mandhana’s RCB will face Meg Lanning’s DC at a jam-packed Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. Interestingly, the male counterparts of both teams have not won the IPL since its inception. Therefore, whoever lifts the 2024 WPL trophy – Mandhana or Lanning – it will end the long-awaited title drought for both franchises. DC, who were runners-up in 2023, finished on top after the league phase with some dominating performances this season. Besides form, the head-to-head between the two teams also favours the Capitals. They have come out on top in all four meetings against RCB over the two editions of WPL. DC’s strength lies in their batting, with the explosive opening pair of skipper Lanning and Shafali Verma leading the way. Lanning has amassed 308 runs this year and is second in the list of leading run-scorers. Shafali is also in blistering form. She started the tournament with two half-centuries on the trot, and in her last game against Gujarat Giants smashed a 37-ball 71. Alice Capsey and Jemimah Rodrigues make sure the momentum provided by the openers is not lost. Jemimah, on her part, has played some pivotal knocks in the tournament and has surprised many with the power she has generated while going for big shots. In the bowling department, pace bowling allrounder Marizanne Kapp and left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen are on top of the list of highest wicket-takers of the tournament with 11 scalps each. Others like Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Shikha Pandey and Titas Sadhu have also been dependable with the ball for DC. RCB, nonetheless, have the momentum after defeating defending champions MI in the Eliminator. They depend highly on the trio of Mandhana, Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh to prop up their batting. Perry is the highest run-scorer in the tournament with 312 runs and has played some memorable knocks including a match-winning 66 in the Eliminator.
Perry Power
All-rounder Ellyse Perry will be key to RCB's success tonight as besides being the highest run-getter with 312 runs, the Australian has been impressive with the ball, scalping seven wickets. If not for Perry's all-round show against MI on Friday, the result could have been different. She first played a vital 50-ball 66-run knock and then returned with figures of 1/29 to play a key role in RCB's journey to the final.
Maiden WPL final for RCB
RCB, on the other hand, finished third in the league phase after an inconsistent run that yielded eight points from as many games but they clicked when it mattered, knocking out defending champions MI by five runs in the eliminator on Friday.
Delhi look to fire on all cylinders
DC will expect the explosive Shafali Verma to provide them with a quick start alongside Meg Lanning. Jemimah Rodrigues has been in fine nick in the middle, but Lanning would expect more contributions from the likes of all-rounders Alice Capsey and Kapp. On the bowling front, Jonassen has been the star performer but the likes of Kapp and Shikha Pandey too have contributed. Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav has also been effective with 10 wickets and the home team will definitely depend a lot on its spinners in a relatively slow Kotla pitch.
Skipper leading DC from front
Meg Lanning has led DC from the front, scoring 308 runs from eight innings, while South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and Australian left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen are the highest wicket-takers for the side with 11 scalps each.
DC favourites!
DC's only two defeats this season came against Mumbai Indians UP Warriorz. Leaving aside those two matches, they have enjoyed a near-perfect campaign. Going into the final, they will definitely start as favourites, having never lost to RCB in four meetings. But having said that, past results will hardly have any significance in the final. It will be a new day and the the side which can withstand pressure and expectations will lift the title.
In superb form
After missing out on the title in WPL's inaugural edition last year, losing by seven wickets to Mumbai Indians in the final, DC looked a rejuvenated side this year. DC have been in superb form this year, topping the five-team league standings with 12 points from eight matches.
DC look to get second time lucky
In-form Delhi Capitals, led by the inspirational Meg Lanning, would hope to be second time lucky and lift their maiden Women's Premier League title when they take on a plucky Royal Challengers Bangalore in the summit clash.
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