Smriti Mandhana has been in great batting form in WPL 2024 (Source: x.com)
We're down to the last couple of games in the WPL 2024 league stages. While the top two spots have been booked, the third spot for the Eliminator is still open for the other three teams. One of them is Royal Challengers Bangalore (BAN-W) that is going to square off against already qualified Mumbai Indians (MUM-W) in the 19th match of the tourney at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. The do-or-die affair for BAN-W is slated to begin at 7:30 PM IST.
Ahead of the riveting clash, let us have a quick look at the top Captain, vice-captain and player stats.
MI-W vs BAN-W: Important Player Stats
Players | Series Stats | Total fantasy points |
---|---|---|
Amelia Kerr | 186 runs and 7 wickets in 7 matches | 484 |
Richa Ghosh | 190 runs in 7 matches | 418 |
Smriti Mandhana | 248 runs in 7 matches | 395 |
Nat-Sciver Brunt | 139 runs and 7 wickets in 7 matches | 389 |
Yastika Bhatia | 185 runs in 7 matches | 346 |
MI-W vs BAN-W: Toss Factor
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi has two strips. One generally acts slowly over time and favours both pacers and spinners. The other is more favourable to batters, resulting in high-scoring games. Dew does not play a role in this situation, so the team that wins the toss typically bats first.
Scenario: If Royal Challengers Bangalore win the toss
- Smriti Mandhana would look to bat first after losing more matches while chasing.
- Pick their spinner all-rounders such as Georgia Wareham, Shreyanka Patil and Sophie Molineux.
- Batters such as Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh and Ellyse Perry are must picks.
Scenario: If Mumbai Indians win the toss
- Harmanpreet Kaur prefers batting first in Delhi and they would hope to do so.
- The top five batters are very important. At least four of them should be in the team.
- Either Shabnim Ismail or Saika Ishaque can be included.
MI-W vs BAN-W: Top Captain and Vice-captain picks
Scenario: If Royal Challengers Bangalore win the match
Ellyse Perry's form has been great in the last few games (Source: x.com)
Ellyse Perry (BAN-W): The Australian legend has been consistent with the bat for Bangalore in her last four games. She has an average of 51.50 in the tournament and has smashed 206 runs from just six innings. Since its a must-win game, Perry may bowl as well.
Smriti Mandhana (BAN-W): The southpaw is the leading run-getter for the Bangalore-based unit. She struck some fine innings midway through the mega-event and has racked up 248 runs from seven innings.
Scenario: If Mumbai Indians win the match
Harmanpreet Kaur will be coming into this game with confidence from the last match (Source: x.com)
Harmanpreet Kaur (MI-W): The Indian skipper led from the front in her similar role for the franchise team. She stockpiled the season's individual best in their last game against the Gujarat Giants, scoring unbridled 95 to steer the side past the finishing line.
Saika Ishaque (MI-W): The Delhi leg has bore sweet fruits for the Bengal spinner. Saika has scalped five wickets from her last couple of games with a three-fer under her name. If the pitch if slow, she can be a lethal weapon for the Mumbai Indians and topple the opposition.
MI-W vs BAN-W: High Risk, High Reward Picks
Richa Ghosh (BAN-W): The Siliguri-bred wicketkeeper-batter has been making the rounds in social media after a blitzkreig against the Delhi Capitals. Her half-century almost sealed the game for RCB unless a run-out in the last ball. She has slammed 190 runs from six innings at an healthy average of 38.
Amelia Kerr (MI-W): The White Fern all-rounder has been in scintillating form with both bat and ball in hand. She has scalped seven wickets in the competition and has often played the quickfire knocks in the middle order. When needed, she has also played the role of a grafter and has the ability to switch gears with progression of time.
MI-W vs BAN-W: Stay Aways
Disha Kasat (BAN-W): The Vidarbha batter failed to repay the faith in the 2023 edition of WPL when she batted at the top order. She also did not get enough balls to face in the last game and is likely to continue bat in the middle order.
Humaira Kazi (MI-W): She's playing more like a filler. Kazi has good domestic record but the Mumbai-based franchise is doing so good that her batting and bowling efforts serve as a backup to their in-form ones.