Best of WPL to square-off in final
MUMBAI: Being the captains of India and Australia, Harmanpreet Kaur and Meg Lanning have crossed swords many times, heralding one of the most exciting rivalries in the women's game.
As they lead the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals in the sell-out final of the Women's Premier League at the Brabourne Stadium on Sunday night, both the stalwarts are also headlining a franchise rivalry which, in future, could attain same levels as the 'MI vs CSK' battles in the IPL.
In the summit clash, little separates two of the best teams of the inaugural edition. Both have gone through a similar journey as well finishing with an identical six wins and two defeats in the league stage, with DC edging out MI for a direct berth into the final due to a better net run-rate.
1/10:It's Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals in the WPL final
ANI
2/10:MI's big concern
<p>Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's form is a huge concern as Mumbai Indians look to cap their superb WPL season by defeating Meg Lanning's Delhi Capitals in the final on Sunday.<br /></p>AFP
3/10:Harmanpreet Kaur
<p>With Harmanpreet managing just 14 runs in the Eliminator, things could have gone downhill for Mumbai, but luckily Nat Sciver-Brunt (72*) made the most of the dropped catch to make a mockery of the Warriorz bowling.<br /></p>AFP
4/10:Meg Lanning
<p>Delhi captain Meg Lanning though could exploit Harmanpreet's poor run with the bat to go all out even though Delhi Capitals will be playing in front of a partisan crowd at the Brabourne Stadium.<br /></p>Getty Images
5/10:Leading from the front
<p>Delhi Capitals, after starting sedately, gradually moved up the points table and finally managed to displace Mumbai Indians at the top, thanks mainly to the performance of Lanning and allrounder Marizanne Kapp.<br /></p>PTI
6/10:MI or DC?
<p>Still, it would be futile to pick the favourite as both teams have been ruthless, clinical, dominant -- and unsuccessful -- at various stages in the tournament.<br /></p>ANI
7/10:12 points each
<p>Delhi and Mumbai have recorded heavy wins against each other in the group stage and finished with identical 12 points, with only the net run rate separating them at the top of the table.<br /></p>IANS
8/10:WPL head-to-head
<p>Mumbai Indians stamped their authority first by thrashing Delhi Capitals by nine-wicket, but the latter returned the favour, scoring an identical win.<br /></p>PTI
9/10:Advantage MI?
<p>Going by their record at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai Indians have the upper hand, having won all three games so far, while Delhi have two wins and a loss at the venue.<br /></p>AFP
10/10:Nat Sciver-Brunt
<p>With Harmanpreet's form a concern, Nat Sciver could step up and play another of her mesmerising knocks, which saw her clobber UP Warriorz bowlers all around the park in the Eliminator.<br /></p>AFPBoth have operated like well-oiled machinery but at times, have looked vulnerable as well. Winning five games in a row, MI were the first to book their berth in the playoffs before stumbling to two back-to-back defeats which forced them to play the Eliminator against the UP Warriorz.
However, the brilliance of Nat Sciver-Brunt (72 not out off 38 balls) and Issy Wong (4-15, including the WPL's maiden hat-trick) saw them through that tricky game on Friday night.
"Both Mumbai and Delhi have been consistent throughout the tournament. We know how dangerous they can be, they have got some great players. It is a massive challenge for Delhi, but we are confident as well," Lanning said.
Apart from losing to MI and Gujarat Giants, DC too have been extremely consistent. In Lanning - the Orange Cap holder for being the highest run-getter (310 runs in 7 games at a strike rate of 141.55) - and the dangerous Shafali Verma (241 runs in 8 games at a strike rate of 182.57), DC have a lethal opening pair.
Praising her younger opening partner, Lanning said, "Shafali has taken pressure off me at the top of the order. She takes the game-on and turns in our favour. Hopefully, she comes in with a clear mind and is ready to take the game on and I can watch from the other end."
Recognising the threat from the Lanning-Shafali duo, Kaur said, "They also well against us in the last game. We know how dangerous they can be. We have our plans and hopefully we will be able to execute them."
As far as their batting is concerned, Lanning has been consistent throughout the tournament while Harmanpreet has been silent for the last four games after she stroked three fifties in the first five games.
There is not much to separate both the teams. They are blessed with a solid batting line-up and penetrative attacks. While MI have the edge in spin, DC have better pacers at their disposal.
