The third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) continues to deliver exhilarating cricketing action, and the sixth match of the tournament promises another intense battle as UP Warriorz take on Delhi Capitals. The high-octane clash is set to unfold at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on February 18 at 7:30 PM IST. This fixture marks the final match in Vadodara before the competition moves to Bengaluru.
Delhi Capitals have had a roller-coaster start to their campaign. They secured a nail-biting last-ball victory against Mumbai Indians, successfully chasing a challenging 165-run target. However, in their following game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, they struggled to defend a modest total of 142 and fell short. On the other hand, UP Warriorz are yet to open their account this season. Their campaign began with a disappointing loss to Gujarat Giants, and they will be eager to bounce back with a strong performance against Delhi.
Wicketkeeper:
Sarah Bryce
Sarah has been an exciting addition to the Delhi Capitals’ setup. The 25-year-old Scottish cricketer made an immediate impact on her WPL debut, scoring a brisk 21 off 10 balls in Delhi’s thrilling chase against Mumbai. She followed it up with another vital knock of 23 off 19 deliveries against RCB. With 58 T20Is under her belt, Bryce has amassed 1,290 runs, with the highest score of 67, proving to be a valuable asset behind the stumps and with the bat.
Batters:
Grace Harris
Grace remains a dynamic force for UP Warriorz despite a low-scoring outing in their opener, where she managed just 4 runs off 2 balls and took a wicket for 1 run in her lone over. Having represented Australia in 51 T20Is, she has amassed 577 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 155.52, with a career-best score of 64*. Her WPL record is equally impressive, with 422 runs at a strike rate of 151.25, along with six wickets in just 15 matches.
Shafali Verma
Shafali’s explosive batting continues to be a major talking point. The young Indian sensation got off to a fiery start in Delhi’s first match, smashing 43 runs off just 18 balls, but she was dismissed for a golden duck against RCB. Known for her fearless approach, Shafali has been a key performer in the WPL, amassing 604 runs in just 20 matches at a staggering strike rate of 171.59, with the highest score of 84. Her international record is equally impressive, with 2,045 runs in 85 T20Is at a strike rate of 129.10.
All-rounders:
Marizanne Kapp
Marizanne has been a consistent performer for the Delhi Capitals, proving her mettle with both bat and ball. The South African all-rounder has played 113 T20Is, scoring 1,622 runs with the highest score of 75 while also claiming 88 wickets, with the best of 4/6. In the WPL, she has been a match-winner, scoring 268 runs and picking up 20 wickets in 17 matches, including a stunning 5/15. Against RCB, she contributed 12 off 13 balls and bowled two expensive overs, conceding 27 runs without a wicket.
Deepti Sharma
Deepti has taken on the captaincy role for UP Warriorz, and her all-round capabilities make her a vital cog in the team. In UPW’s first game, she played a crucial knock of 39 off 27 balls, though her bowling figures of 0/32 in four overs were less effective. Her 2024 season was phenomenal, as she scored 295 runs at an astonishing average of 98.33 and a strike rate of 136.57 while also picking up 10 wickets at an economy of 7.23.
Annabel Sutherland
Annabel has had a solid start to her WPL campaign, delivering an all-round performance in her debut match. She took 3/34 in 3.1 overs and contributed 13 off 10 balls with the bat. She followed it up with another steady outing against RCB, scoring 19 off 13 deliveries and registering bowling figures of 0/18 in two overs. Although her WPL record stands at 87 runs and seven wickets in 10 matches, her recent international form has been exceptional, making her a player to watch.
Jess Jonassen
Jess, the seasoned Australian all-rounder, has played 105 T20Is, accumulating 438 runs with the highest score of 47 while claiming 96 wickets, with best figures of 5/12. Her WPL journey has been equally productive, scoring 146 runs at a strike rate of 128.07 and taking 20 wickets in 17 matches, with a best of 3/21. However, her last match against RCB was forgettable, as she managed just 1 run off 4 balls and went wicketless while conceding 37 runs in four overs.
Tahlia McGrath
Tahlia, Australia’s vice-captain, brings immense value as an all-rounder. She has played 53 T20Is, scoring 1,124 runs with a career-best of 91* while also picking up 20 wickets, with best figures of 3/13. In WPL, she has made an impact with 329 runs and four wickets in 14 matches. In UPW’s opening game, she bowled three economical overs, taking 1/21, but failed to contribute with the bat.
Bowlers:
Sophie Ecclestone
Sophie remains one of the most lethal spinners in world cricket. The English left-arm spinner has been a standout performer for UP Warriorz, claiming 29 wickets in 18 WPL matches at an average of 16.37, with best figures of 4/13. In Warriorz’s first match of the season, she was their top bowler, finishing with figures of 2/16 in four overs. Her T20I stats are just as impressive, with 137 wickets in 96 games at an average of 15.24, with best figures of 4/18.
Shikha Pandey
Shikha has been a key contributor to Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack. She played a crucial role in their win against Mumbai Indians, producing excellent figures of 2/14 in four overs. She continued her strong form against RCB, picking up one wicket for 27 runs in four overs. With 43 wickets in 62 T20Is (best of 3/14) and 22 WPL wickets in 20 matches (best of 3/23), she remains a dependable option in fantasy teams.
Alana King
Alana, the Australian leg-spinner, has added another dimension to UP Warriorz’s bowling arsenal. In her WPL debut, she scored a quick 19* off 14 balls but struggled with the ball, conceding 38 runs in three overs without a wicket. However, her performances in international cricket are noteworthy. She was the standout player in the Women’s Ashes, grabbing a record 23 wickets across formats. In T20Is, she has taken 24 wickets in 25 matches, with the best of 4/8.
Delhi Capitals will look to bounce back from their previous defeat, while UP Warriorz will be desperate to register their first win of the season. With some of the biggest names in women’s cricket taking center stage, this match is set to be a thrilling spectacle.
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