Women’s Premier League Preview: Giants’ obstacle between Delhi Capitals and a 4th consecutive Final

The Gujarat Giants have bounced back from a three-match losing streak, as they find themselves on a three-match winning streak currently. One of these matches was against the Delhi Capitals, against whom they levelled their head to head record 4-4. The Delhi Capitals had a couple of disappointing losses against the Giants, but they still managed to make it to the eliminator after dominating the UP Warriorz in their previous fixture.

Thus far, the Gujarat Giants have heavily relied on Sophie Devine, Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, and regular sparks from Georgia Wareham. Devine is the purple cap holder currently and has an economy of under 8 runs per over. The Kiwi also has one of the best strike rates of the tournament so far, striking at nearly 153. Alongwith Mooney, Devine has ensured that the Giants get a quick start in the powerplay.

A captain’s knock of 46(28) in a must-win match against the Mumbai Indians made Ashleigh Gardner the highest run-scorer for her side in this WPL. Over the course of the tournament, she has held significant partnerships with Anushka Sharma and Georgia Wareham to carry the innings forward.

A matter of concern for Gujarat Giants will be Bharti Fulmali’s form in the lower middle order. As the last recognized batter in the lineup, she gained much reputation for her aggressive batting early in the tournament. However, with scores of 5,3,5 in the last three games would be something that both Fulmali and Gujarat would want to focus on.

Another player from whom Gujarat Giants will be expecting some vital contribution from is Kanika Ahuja. Having scored only 10 runs in the last three matches, Gardner might want to put an arm around the 23-year-old.

Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma are both explosive openers for their national sides. However, as an opening pair, they have arguably performed below par. Lee’s strike rate of 71 in the last three matches contradicts her style of play.

Apart from Lee, the two legendary South Africans who have been the stars for the Delhi Capitals are Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp. Wolvaardt is currently the leading run-scorer for the Capitals this season (one run more than Lee) and has a reputation of outclassing her opponents in knockout games.

Kapp on the other hand has been mighty impressive in the powerplay. She currently has the second best economy rate in the tournament, conceding runs at only 5.8 runs per over. After a blazing 56 agains the Mumbai Indians, West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry has not contributed with the bat. But the experienced campaigner has retributed with the ball, picking up two wickets in each of her last three matches.

All eyes will be on Niki Prasad, whose 47(24) in the previous match against Gujarat Giants had ignited hopes for the Capitals in what seemed to be a match lost for the Giants. Sneh Rana’s contributions with the ball in combination with her pinch-hitting in the lower order toughens the Capitals’ batting line-up.

The Kotambi pitch has played out evenly throughout the contest. Teams bowling first have won five out of nine matches. Overall, of the 15 matches played at Kotambi, the chasing side has won 67% of them. Given how the pitch has slows down as the match progresses, anything over 170 runs for the team batting first would be competitive.

On such a ground, the bowling duos of Nandni Sharma-Shree Charani and Rajeshwari Gayakwad-Kashvee Gautam for their respective sides will hold key in deciding the final outcomes. Nandni held on to the purple cap for quite some time after taking that hattrick against the Giants in the first league match.

Charani has raced to 14 wickets in only eight matches, and to counter her Gayakwad has picked up 10 in six. Kashvee Gautam has a wicket per match and has an economy of under eight after eight matches; akin to Gayakwad, Nandni, and Charani.

The Delhi Capitals have been the defending runners-up since the first ever edition of the Women’s Premier League. The Gujarat Giants were defeated in the Eliminator last year, and will eye for their best-ever run in the WPL.