The third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is heating up, and match number eight promises to be a thrilling spectacle. Set under the bright lights of Bengaluru’s iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, two-time runners-up Delhi Capitals are gearing up to face the winless UP Warriorz on February 22 at 7:30 PM IST.
The Capitals are coming into this encounter with a mixed bag of performances—two heart-pounding, last-ball victories against the Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz themselves have showcased their fighting spirit. However, a crushing defeat at the hands of defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru exposed their vulnerabilities. In stark contrast, the Warriorz are yet to open their account this season, having suffered back-to-back defeats to the Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals. As both sides lock horns, here’s a look at the potential game-changers for your fantasy XI.
Wicketkeeper:
Sarah Bryce
The Scottish sensation Sarah Bryce has been nothing short of impressive in her WPL debut. The 25-year-old announced her arrival with a rapid-fire 21 off 10 balls in DC’s nail-biting chase against Mumbai and followed up with a crucial 23 off 19 against RCB. Though she didn’t get a chance to bat in the previous showdown against the Warriorz, her international record speaks volumes—1,290 runs from 58 T20Is, with a career-best of 67. A dependable presence both behind the stumps and with the bat, Bryce is a valuable pick for this contest.
Batters:
Meg Lanning
The legendary Australian, Meg Lanning, had a sluggish start with scores of 15 and 17, but she roared back into form with a commanding 69 off 49 balls against the Warriorz. With an illustrious career tally of 3,405 runs from 132 T20Is—including a highest score of 133—Lanning has consistently dominated the WPL, clinching the Orange Cap in the inaugural season (345 runs in 9 matches) and following it up with 331 runs in the second edition. Expect her to be a major threat.
Shafali Verma
Fearless and explosive, Shafali Verma kick-started the season with a blistering 43 off 18 balls against Mumbai but couldn’t carry the momentum forward, falling for a golden duck against RCB. She showed glimpses of her brilliance again with a quick-fire 26 off 16 versus the Warriorz but failed to convert it into a big score. With 630 runs from 21 WPL matches at an eye-popping strike rate of 171.19, she remains a pivotal player for DC.
Jemimah Rodrigues
Though Jemimah Rodrigues has struggled this season with scores of 2, 34, and 0, her consistency across global leagues cannot be overlooked. Having scored 2,267 runs in 107 T20Is with a personal best of 76, Rodrigues will be eager to return to form. In the WPL, she’s already made her mark with 397 runs across 21 matches.
Kiran Navgire
The Warriorz will be pinning their hopes on Kiran Navgire, who hammered a sensational 51 off 27 balls against Delhi in their previous encounter. Known for her raw power, Navgire has accumulated 331 runs across 19 WPL matches, with a highest score of 57. Expect her to come out swinging in this must-win game.
All-rounders:
Grace Harris
A dynamic force for the Warriorz, Grace Harris has had quiet outings so far with scores of 4 and 12, though she’s made an impact with the ball, taking 2 wickets. Representing Australia in 51 T20Is, Harris has smashed 577 runs at a phenomenal strike rate of 155.52. Her WPL record—434 runs and 7 wickets—makes her a player to watch out for.
Annabel Sutherland
The Australian all-rounder has been delivering consistent performances, starting with a 3/34 spell and a handy 13 off 10 with the bat. She followed that up with a balanced 19 off 13 and a bowling figure of 0/18 against RCB. Against the Warriorz, she showcased her all-round prowess with a match-winning effort of 2/26 and an unbeaten 41 off 35, which earned her the Player of the Match award.
Marizanne Kapp
With a wealth of experience, South African star Marizanne Kapp has played a crucial role for Delhi. Her international stats boast 1,622 runs and 88 wickets from 113 T20Is. In the WPL, Kapp’s contributions are equally significant, scoring 297 runs and bagging 21 wickets in 18 matches. Her recent partnership of 48 runs with Sutherland, including a vital 29 off 17 and figures of 1/30, will give her team a boost.
Deepti Sharma
A versatile player, Deepti Sharma was pivotal in UPW’s opening game, scoring 39 off 27 balls despite a lackluster bowling effort (0/32). Against Delhi, she contributed 7 runs and took 1/27 with the ball. Her WPL 2024 season was stellar, as she scored 295 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 98.33 while scalping 10 wickets at an economy rate of 7.23.
Bowlers:
Sophie Ecclestone
England’s ace spinner Sophie Ecclestone remains a game-changer for the Warriorz. With 30 wickets from 19 WPL matches at an average of 16.30, she’s been their standout bowler. In the current season, she’s picked up 2/16 and 1/31 in her first two outings. Her T20I record is equally intimidating—137 wickets from 96 games with best figures of 4/18.
Arundhati Reddy
The 27-year-old right-arm pacer, has been a reliable performer for India with 28 wickets from 33 T20Is, including a personal best of 3/19. In the ongoing third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Reddy’s form has been steady. She started her campaign with figures of 0/40 (vs MI), followed by a much-improved spell of 1/25 (vs RCB). In her latest outing against the UP Warriorz she picked 1/26 and across WPL, Reddy has claimed 12 wickets from 16 innings, with her best figures standing at 2/27.
With the Delhi Capitals looking to continue their winning streak and the UP Warriorz desperately hunting for their first win of the season, this matchup at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium could go down to the wire.
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