Mumbai Indians Women will be up against the stubborn UP Warriorz in the Eliminator clash of the Women’s Premier League 2023 (WPL) at Navi Mumbai’s Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy on Friday, March 24. Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last group-stage game to momentarily gain the top spot in the league table. But, Delhi Capitals’ dominating win over UP Warriorz in the last group-stage game pushed them (MI) to second place with inferior NRR to Capitals.
UP Warriorz missed out on a chance to register three straight league wins after a disappointing performance against the Delhi team. Tahlia McGrath smashed another brilliant fifty to help the Warriorz score 138/6 while batting first but it was not enough against high-flying Capitals who chased the target with 13 balls remaining. Warriorz made three changes to their winning team and that proved as a tactical gamble for the team.
However, the Warriorz beat Mumbai Indians by five wickets when the two teams met last in the group stage to end the latter’s five-match winning run in WPL 2023. But Mumbai Indians enter the fixture as favorites and fans can expect another close encounter for the place in the final of an inaugural edition of the tournament.
Match Details:
Venue: Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
Date & Time: March 24, 07:30 PM IST
Telecast & Live Streaming: Sports18 & Jio Cinemas app/browser
Pitch Report:
The pitch at Navi Mumbai’s Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy has a balanced surface for T20 cricket. It has one of the fastest outfields among Indian venues with an average first innings score of 144 from 10 WPL games. Teams bowling second have won eight of ten games in the tournament, so the toss will be crucial in the Eliminator game.
Probable Playing XIs for MI-W vs UP-W:
Mumbai Indians:
Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Pooja Vastrakar, Issy Wong, Amanjot Kaur, Saika Ishaque, Humairaa Kaazi, Jintimani Kalita
UP Warriorz:
Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Devika Vaidya, Kiran Navgire, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Parshavi Copra, Anjali Sarvani, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Probable Best Performers from MI-W vs UP-W:
Probable best batter: Tahlia McGrath
The world no.1 T20I batter proved her rankings by smashing 58* off 32 against Delhi Capitals in the last game. McGrath scored 88 runs against Mumbai Indians across two games this season, including a fifty in the first leg. She is only 15 runs behind Delhi’s Meg Lanning in the scoring chart with 295 runs from just seven innings with record four fifties in WPL 2023.
Probable best bowler: Sophie Ecclestone
The star English spinner has been an instrumental figure in UP Warriorz’s campaign to playoffs. Ecclestone has justified her no.1 spot in the ICC T20I bowlers chart with 14 wickets from just eight innings at an economy rate of 6.22 so far. She took three for 15 against Mumbai Indians in the last encounter between the two teams and will be looking for a similar impact on Friday.
Today’s Match Prediction: Mumbai Indians Women to win the match
Check Here: MI-W vs UP-W Dream11 Team
Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.
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