WPL Final : Can Delhi Capitals (DC) finally clinch their maiden title on their third attempt?
In a repeat of the inaugural season’s title clash, Delhi Capitals will face Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Brabourne Stadium on Saturday (March 15), hoping to break their title drought and secure their first-ever franchise trophy.
Mumbai Indians, playing at home, have had a grueling schedule, featuring three matches in four days, including a high-stakes Eliminator. Despite the fatigue, they’ve managed to stay consistent, winning two of those games. In contrast, Delhi Capitals wrapped up their group stage matches in Lucknow, enjoyed a weekend break, and have had only three practice sessions in Mumbai ahead of the wpl final. While MI might be battling burnout, DC could face challenges with rustiness.
DC skipper Meg Lanning remains unfazed by the limited preparation time. “We’ve got plenty of energy in the group, and I’m excited about the opportunity to play our best game,” she said. “We’ve been watching the games on TV and have trained here. Many players have experience at this venue, so conditions won’t be an issue. We’ll assess the pitch and adapt accordingly.”
MI, on the other hand, are banking on their recent familiarity with the CCI conditions. “It’s an advantage because we know the conditions well,” said Harmanpreet Kaur. “We’ve played three games here in four days and have a better understanding of how to bat, bowl, and execute our plans. We’ve improved with each game.”
Despite MI’s recent rhythm, DC has had the upper hand in their head-to-head encounters this season. They secured a nail-biting one-wicket win in their tournament opener in Vadodara and followed it up with a dominant performance in Bengaluru. Overall, DC leads 4-3 in head-to-head matches, though MI won the inaugural WPL final in 2023.
MI will be eager to avenge their narrow Eliminator loss last year, which denied them a chance to defend their title. Meanwhile, DC, making their third consecutive final without needing the Eliminator route, will be determined to finally lift the trophy after falling short twice before.
Match Details:
- When:Â Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 PM IST
- Where:Â Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
Pitch Report:
A fresh, batting-friendly pitch is expected for the final, with some assistance for slower bowlers later in the game. Despite the presence of dew, all three matches at this venue have been won by teams batting first. Chasing has been preferred throughout the season, but MI acknowledged after the Eliminator that batting first on a new track worked in their favor, which could be a factor in the final.
Team News:
Mumbai Indians:
MI reverted to their original opening combination, and Harmanpreet Kaur praised Yastika Bhatia’s impact at the top. Parunika Sisodia might return to the XI, replacing Saika Ishaque.
Probable XI:
Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Amanjot Kaur, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Sajeevan Sajana, G Kamalini, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque/Parunika Sisodia
Delhi Capitals:
Titas Sadhu could make way for an additional spin option, likely N Charani.
Probable XI:
Meg Lanning (C), Shafali Verma, Jess Jonassen, Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Sarah Bryce (wk), Niki Prasad, Minnu Mani, Shikha Pandey, Titas Sadhu/N Charani
Key Stats:
- The average first-innings score at CCI in WPL 2025 is 197.
- Meg Lanning boasts the highest average (84.75) among batters with at least 100 runs at this venue. Nat Sciver-Brunt leads the run charts with 535 runs in 12 innings at 76.42.
- Shabnim Ismail has dismissed DC openers Lanning and Shafali Verma five times each in T20s.
- Marizanne Kapp has dominated Hayley Matthews, dismissing her 10 times in 34 T20 innings.
As the two powerhouses clash in the final, DC will aim to turn their third final appearance into a historic title win, while MI will look to reclaim their dominance and add another trophy to their cabinet.
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