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Fantasy: Capsey, Kapp and Kerr could be game-changers

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Last updated on 25 Mar 2023 | 09:54 AM
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Fantasy: Capsey, Kapp and Kerr could be game-changers

Here are a few tips that could help you create your fantasy XI for the final clash between Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals at the Brabourne Stadium

Two of the best Women’s Premier League (WPL) teams this season – Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals – will be taking each other in the final of the first edition on Sunday. Early on in the season, Mumbai smashed the living out of Delhi before Delhi gave it back to Mumbai leading up to the knock-out stage of the competition. 

Who will turn up better than the other at the Brabourne Stadium on Sunday (March 26)? Will it be the Capitals, who haven’t yet won a competition or will it be the serial-winners, in Mumbai?

Pitch and conditions

Typically, Brabourne has been a graveyard for the bowlers, with an average first-innings score of 169. But the last game at the venue, the clash between UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals saw an aggregate score of just 280. Considering that this is a big match, there is a strong possibility that that wicket will play home to a high-scoring thriller.

Spinners are far more valuable in these conditions than their pace counterparts, with 67 wickets, in comparison to 35 wickets. On the surfaces here, pacers, on an average, have picked 3.3 wickets/innings.

Suggested TeamWhile you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.

Captaincy Suggestions

For Small league: Meg Lanning (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt (vc)

For Grand leagues: Shafali Verma (c), Amelia Kerr (vc)

Stats that Matter

-    Even though Mumbai Indians’ batting unit has scored the most runs in this year’s competition (1348), it is Delhi Capitals who top the major batting charts this season, with the best average (33) and the best run-rate for any team (9.1). With Brabourne as the venue, expect a high-scoring thriller.

-    Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 72* has now propelled her to the third spot in the Orange Cap race, with just Tahlia McGrath and Meg Lanning ahead of her. Given that McGrath will play no further part in the tournament, the English all-rounder’s eyes would be set on the individual award. But Lanning has been at her most consistent form this season, with 310 runs, averaging a solid 51.66, and a strike-rate of 141.6. 

-    Much of Delhi’s dominance in the middle-overs has been down to Alice Capsey’s batting intent. The English all-rounder strikes at 172.55, with 88 runs in overs 7-15, and thrives under the pressure with a boundary every 3.6 deliveries. While she might not be as prolific as Meg or have a wicket-taking prowess as Kapp, her form could make a valuable difference.

-    Ever since she took off against RCB Women on March 6, Hayley Matthews has had a very indifferent season, where she has struggled for runs. Only once since that encounter has she struck at over 120, and that too was a cameo, a 17-ball 24 against RCB women. 

Grand League punts

-    Shafali Verma has had a solid season thus far, and if anything, has smashed the opposition bowling unit to smithereens. She might have three single digit scores but her impact in the tournament has been quite a statement, with a strike-rate of 206.8 against spin. Mumbai are a team that is filled with spinners – three to be precise – and there stands a chance for Shafali to take the fullest advantage of that. 

-    Amelia Kerr is growing into the competition and is one of the unique pieces to the Mumbai success story. A leg-spinner, a more than capable batter, who can clear boundaries, she is a real asset to not just the Mumbai setup but also for your fantasy team. The fact that she picked up a three-for in her previous game against RCB, and scored a 31* and 29, makes her an extremely important asset. 

Top Criclytics Projections

Probable XIs

Mumbai XI: Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Issy Wong, Amanjot Kaur, Humaira Kazi, Jintimani Kalita, Saika Ishaque

Delhi XI: Meg Lanning (c), Shafali Verma, Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Jess Jonassen, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav/Tara Norris

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