WPL 2025: Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals Set for Electrifying Showdown (Preview)
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Synopsis
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 features a gripping showdown between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, promising an exciting contest as both teams aim for victory. With star-studded lineups, the match is set to be a thrilling display of talent and strategy.
Key Takeaways
- Mumbai Indians seek to capitalize on their strong core of talent.
- Delhi Capitals aim to secure their first WPL title after two runner-up finishes.
- Key player matchups include Shafali Verma vs Shabnim Ismail.
- Both teams possess formidable bowling attacks.
- The match is crucial for both squads' title aspirations.
Vadodara, Feb 14 (NationPress) The second encounter of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 will feature the inaugural champions Mumbai Indians squaring off against the two-time finalists Delhi Capitals in a match that promises to be exhilarating this Saturday at the Kotambi Stadium.
The Mumbai Indians, winners of the inaugural WPL in 2023, have a strong core of both overseas and Indian talents. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, the team finished second in the points table last season with five victories out of eight matches, looking to advance further this time around.
A significant alteration for MI is the absence of pacer Pooja Vastrakar due to an undisclosed injury. She will be replaced by Parunika Sisodia, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler who played a key role in India’s victory at the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, Issy Wong of England, who made history by taking the first-ever WPL hat-trick in 2023, has been released after a decline in form. Instead, South African pacer Shabnim Ismail is anticipated to lead the bowling squad.
MI’s domestic roster is promising, especially with U-19 World Cup sensation G Kamalini, who was the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 143 runs in seven matches. Their international stars include Nat Sciver-Brunt (England), Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Amelia Kerr (New Zealand), and the South African trio of Nadine de Klerk, Shabnim Ismail, and Chloe Tryon.
Among the Indian players, Yastika Bhatia continues as the primary wicketkeeper-batter, while Saika Ishaque, Sajana Sajeevan, uncapped Akshita Maheshwari, and Amanjot Kaur are expected to play crucial roles.
After being the runners-up in the first two editions, Delhi Capitals are eager to break their streak and capture their first WPL title. The team, led by Meg Lanning, topped the league stage last year with six wins in eight matches, possessing all the elements for a successful campaign but needing to perform in high-pressure situations.
All eyes will be on Shafali Verma, who has showcased remarkable domestic form after her exclusion from the national team. She will partner with Lanning at the top of the order, forming one of the most formidable opening pairings in the league. The middle order includes seasoned players like Jemimah Rodrigues, Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, and England’s Alice Capsey.
Sutherland enters the tournament in excellent form, having scored 163 runs in her only Test during the women’s Ashes, securing the highest individual accolade in Australian cricket. The Capitals also feature three wicketkeeper-batters: India’s Taniyaa Bhatia, Nandini Kashyap, and Scotland’s Sarah Bryce.
Delhi’s bowling unit is among the most well-rounded in the tournament, led by Marizanne Kapp. She will be supported by Australia’s Jess Jonassen, India’s Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, and promising young pacer Titas Sadhu.
In their head-to-head encounters, Mumbai Indians hold a slight edge over Delhi Capitals with a 3-2 record.
Performance to watch:
Shafali Verma vs Shabnim Ismail:
An explosive batter versus a fiery pacer, this matchup may set the tone in the powerplay.
Meg Lanning vs Amelia Kerr:
Lanning’s skill to stabilize the innings will be challenged by Kerr’s crafty leg-spin.
Nat Sciver-Brunt vs Marizanne Kapp:
Two of the best all-rounders globally will play key roles in their team’s success.
Radha Yadav vs Harmanpreet Kaur:
The DC spinner will strive to outsmart the MI captain during the middle overs.
Squads:
Mumbai Indians: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Akshita Maheshwari, Amandeep Kaur, Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Chloe Tryon, Hayley Matthews, Jintimani Kalita, Keerthana Balakrishnan, Nadine de Klerk, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Parunika Sisodia, Sajeevan Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, G Kamalini (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Saika Ishaque, Shabnim Ismail.
Delhi Capitals: Meg Lanning (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Sneh Deepthi, Alice Capsey, Annabel Sutherland, Arundhati Reddy, Jess Jonassen, Marizanne Kapp, Minnu Mani, N Charani, Niki Prasad, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Nandini Kashyap (wk), Taniyaa Bhatia (wk), Sarah Bryce (wk), Titas Sadhu.
The clash between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 will kick off at 7:30 PM IST.
This exciting matchup will be broadcast live on the Sports18 Network.
