Women's T20 Challenge | SUP vs VEL | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

Supernovas and Velocity will lock horns in the Women's T20 Challenge final at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, on Saturday. The all-important summit clash will get underway at 7:30 PM (IST).  

All three teams, namely Trailblazers, Supernovas, and Velocity – played two games in the league stage, and they all won and lost one each. However, given Velocity's better net run rate, they qualified for the finals. 

Supernovas have got a great team with a decent batting lineup. The form of their captain Harmanpreet Kaur is the biggest boost for them. Kaur ended up as the leading run-scorer in both the matches Supernovas played this season.

The Women in blue, who'll be eyeing their third Women's T20 Challenge title, need a good start from their openers, Priya Punia and Deandra Dottin. Pooja Vastrakar, the highest wicket-taker of the tournament, and Sophie Ecclestone will be leading the bowling department of the Supernovas.

Velocity, on the other hand, will hold an edge over Supernovas in the match as they have already beaten the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side in the league stage and will be aware of the weakness of the opposition. 

Heading into the all-crucial final, Deepti Sharma-led side might bring some changes at the top. Kiran Navgire, the power-hitter who took the Trailblazer bowlers to the cleaners in the previous match to register the fastest fifty of the tournament, is expected to be promoted at the top alongside Shafali Verma. 

Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, and Sneh Rana can keep a check on middle overs. Among the bowlers, the onus would be on Kate Cross, Simran Bahadur, Radha Yadav and skipper Deepti Sharma.

Match Details:

Match: Supernovas vs Velocity, Final 

Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune

Date & Time: 28th May at 7:30 PM IST & Local Time

Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar

Pitch Report: The pitch at this MCA Stadium has generally assisted the batters, and it would be no different on Saturday. The bowlers have to be at the best of their abilities to control the leakage of runs. A score of 160-170 is expected to be the par total at this venue, with both the teams looking to bat first after winning the toss. 

Pitch Stats:

Total Matches: 3

Matches Won Batting First: 2

Matches Won Bowling First: 1

Average 1st Inning Score: 167

Average 2nd Inning Score: 146

Head-to-Head:

The head-to-head record between Supernovas and Velocity is evenly poised, with both the teams winning two games each. 

In their last face-off this season, Velocity blew away Harmanpreet Kaur-led side by 7 wickets after chasing out the target of 151 in just 18.2 overs. Shafali Verma top-scored with 33-ball 51 in that match, while Kate Cross was the pick of the bowlers as she returned with figures of 2/24.

Squads:

Supernovas: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Taniya Bhatia (wk), Alana King, Ayushi Soni, V Chandu, Deandra Dottin, Harleen Deol, Meghna Singh, Monica Patel, Muskan Malik, Pooja Vastrakar, Priya Punia, Sophie Ecclestone, Sune Luus, Mansi Joshi, Rashi Kanojiya.

Velocity: Deepti Sharma (c), Sneh Rana, Shafali Verma, Ayabonga Khaka, Kate Cross, Laura Wolvaardt, Keerthi James, Maya Sonawane, Natthakan Chatham, Radha Yadav, Shivali Shinde, Simran Bahadur, Yastika Bhatia, Aarti Kedar, Kiran Navgire, Pranavi Chandra.

Probable Playing XI:

Supernovas: Priya Punia, Deandra Dottin, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Sune Luus, Alana King, Pooja Vastrakar, Sophie Ecclestone, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Meghna Singh, V Chandu.

Velocity: Shafali Verma, Natthakan Chatham, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Deepti Sharma (c), Kiran Navgire, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, Kate Cross, Ayabonga Khaka, Simran Bahadur.

CREX XI Suggestion

Wicket-Keeper: Taniya Bhatia

Batters: Deandra Dottin, Laura Wolvaardt, Shafali Verma, Kiran Navgire

All-Rounders: Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar

Bowlers: Ayabonga Khaka, Alana King, Kate Cross

Captain: Deandra Dottin

Vice-Captain: Shafali Verma