Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz in match no. 6 will go up against each other at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, in the ongoing 02 edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The game is scheduled for the 28th of February, 2024, at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz have both played a couple of games each this season and are seeded on opposite ends of the 5-team points table, with Mumbai in the lead on the back of successive wins.
Squads:
Mumbai Indians – Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Yastika Bhatia, Hayley Matthews*, Fatima Jaffer, Shabnim Ismail*, Issy Wong*, Amandeep Kaur, Saika Ishaque, Priyanka Bala, Humaira Kazi, Amelia Kerr*, Sathyamoorthy Balakrishnan Keerthana, Sajeevan Sajana, Pooja Vastrakar, Nat Sciver-Brunt*, Jintimani Kalita, Amanjot Kaur, Chloe Tryon*
UP Warriorz – Alyssa Healy* (C), Tahlia McGrath*, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Chamari Athapaththu*, Anjali Sarvani, Deepti Sharma, Laxmi Yadav, Parshavi Chopra, Grace Harris*, Sophie Ecclestone*, Kiran Navgire, Saima Thakor, Shweta Sehrawat, Vrinda Dinesh, Poonam Khemnar, Soppadhandi Yashasri, Gouher Sultana, Danni Wyatt*
Players to watch out:
Harmanpreet Kaur
The 34-year-old middle-order batter from 9 WPL innings last edition amassed 281 runs, including the highest of 65, striking at 135.09 and averaging 40.14. While Harmanpreet struggled for double-digit scores in the lead-up to the WPL, come the tournament, she’s picked up from where she left off, registering scores of 55 and 46*. It’ll be hoped she capitalizes on this return to form.
Shabnim Ismail
The 35-year-old pacer, averaging 18.62 and maintaining an economy rate of 5.77, bagged 123 wickets with the best being 5/12, from 112 Twenty20 International (T20I) innings. Shabnim retired from international cricket last year and hence was fresh, yet rusty, coming into the WPL. However, she has displayed good form, returning figures of 1/24 and 3/18, and will be counted on to lead the tally.
Alyssa Healy
The 33-year-old keeper-batter from 9 WPL appearances last season added 253 runs to the tally, including the highest of 96*, at a strike rate of 141.34. Alyssa was in good form in the lead-up to the WPL, registering scores of 46, 29, and 10 in T20Is against South Africa. However, she has failed to carry forward with the momentum, but will be backed to rediscover her mojo.
Gouher Sultana
The 35-year-old left-arm off-spinner, in 6 domestic T20 outings, bagged 8 wickets at an economy rate of 4.10 and was very successful overall, contributing with both runs and wickets in the One-Dayers as well. Gouher made her WPL debut with the UP Warriorz, registering figures of 0/15 (2) in their most recent game. It’ll be expected of the seasoned campaigner to step up with an all-round effort.
Pitch:
The 22-yard strip at Chinnaswamy Stadium is known to be favorable for batting, as evident from high-scoring matches held at the venue. While it primarily benefits the batters, pacers can also exploit the conditions to their advantage.
Weather:
It will be a pleasant day for cricket at Chinnaswamy Stadium with no expected rain interruptions and partly cloudy skies. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 26°C, with light winds and a humidity level of 41%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Alyssa Healy, Yastika Bhatia, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur, Grace Harris, Tahlia McGrath, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Amelia Kerr, Saika Ishaque, Shabnim Ismail
Match details:
Date – February 28, 2024
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on FanCode and telecasted on Sports18.