Women's Premier League: DC aim for flawless performance against Mumbai
What's the story
The Women's Premier League (WPL) promises an exciting clash as the Delhi Capitals (DC) take on the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on February 28.
Both teams are currently at the top with six points each, although DC have played one more match than MI.
The Capitals would look for a 2-0 record against Mumbai this season while MI Women would aim for their fourth consecutive win and first against DC this season.
Here's more.
Team performance
MI's winning streak and key players
As mentioned, MI are on a three-match winning streak.
Their only defeat this season was at the hands of DC in their opening match in Vadodara.
Although there are some concerns over Yastika Bhatia's form (27 runs in four innings), Nat Sciver-Brunt has been a standout performer for MI with consistent contributions in both batting and bowling departments.
Sciver-Brunt has smashed 254 runs (four innings).
Additionally, Hayley Matthews, despite her current form slump, scored 59 off 50 against UP Warriorz.
Strategy shift
DC's performance and strategic changes
DC's form has been hit and miss but they are coming off a convincing six-wicket win against Gujarat Giants.
In their previous match, promoting Jess Jonassen to No. 3 proved effective. Jonassen guided them to victory with an unbeaten 61-run knock.
However, skipper Meg Lanning is still searching for form this season, having scored just 109 runs (five innings).
Before this edition, she boasted an impressive average of 48.50 in five WPL innings against MI.
Star performers
Key players to watch in the upcoming match
In the upcoming match, the Capitals' Shikha Pandey and Marizanne Kapp will face the Indians' Shabnim Ismail and Sciver-Brunt.
Kapp (four innings) and Pandey (five innings) own five and six wickets each respectively.
Ismail has bagged five scalps in four innings, while Scvier-Brunt owns seven scalps (four innings).
As mentioned, Jonassen was crucial for DC, smashing 61 off 32 against the Giants.
Meanwhile, MI's Sanskriti Gupta showcased her off-spin prowess with an impressive 2/11 in two overs against UPW.
Team news
Probable playing XIs for the match
DC are likely to stick with the winning combination from the last match.
Their probable XI: Shafali Verma, Meg Lanning (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Sarah Bryce (wk), Niki Prasad, Minnu Mani, Titas Sadhu and Shikha Pandey.
MI may also look to replace Jintimani Kalita with spinner Parunika Sisodia.
MI probable XI: Yastika Bhatia (wk), Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, G Kamalini, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Parunika Sisodia.
Top performers -DC
DC's top performers so far this season
For the Capitals, Shafali Verma tops the charts with 137 runs across five innings at 27.40 this season. Her highest score so far is 44 (SR: 148.91).
As mentioned, Lanning has managed 109 runs in five innings at 21.80 (SR: 103.80), closely trailing Verma.
Annabel Sutherland has been the pick of the bowlers with seven scalps (five innings) at 18.28.
She is followed by Jonassen who owns six wickets at 18.83, including a four-wicket haul in four innings.
Top performers - MI
Top performers for the Mumbai Indians this season
The current leading run-scorer in the WPL, Sciver-Brunt, leads the way for Mumbai with her bat, having amassed 254 runs at 127 in four innings (SR: 155.82).
Harmanpreet Kaur takes the second spot with 100 runs at 33.33 (four innings).
With the ball, Sciver-Brunt leads again with seven scalps at 17.42.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Amelia Kerr and Ismail are next with five wickets in four innings, averaging 19 and 20.80, respectively.