DC vs MI: Delhi Capitals Aim to Revive Season Against Inconsistent Mumbai Indians

On paper, the three-time finalists have one of the teams to beat in this WPL. But four matches into the WPL, the Delhi Capitals are yet to click and currently sit at the bottom of the table with two points and a poor net run-rate of -0.856. As surprising as it is to see them there, it is their own doing as DC have struggled to come out on top in key moments this season. They come into the contest against MI on the back of a shellacking against Royal Challengers Bengaluru but will take pride in the performances of Shafali Verma and Lucy Hamilton. The duo took Delhi Capitals from a precarious position of 10 for 4 to a competitive total of 166. The Capitals' batting order has been ticking along nicely barring that top-order collapse in the last game while the bowlers have been effective in patches but are yet to click together as a unit. For the two-time champions Mumbai Indians, it appears that the early injury to Hayley Matthews has thrown a spanner in the works that they are yet to resolve. Their opening combinations have not clicked so far with the highest first-wicket partnership of 43 so far. They have been heavily dependent on their reliable No.3 and No.4 in Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur to bail them out of tough situations repeatedly. Their bowling in the last game struggled at the start without the services of Shabnim Ismail. Left-arm spinner Triveni Vasistha and fast-medium pace bowler Nalla Kranthi Reddy didn't bowl a single ball in their last game. Amelia Kerr has been the bright light with the ball for MI as the leggie currently holds the purple cap with 10 wickets in five matches. Despite the hiccups, MI still sit second on the table with four points in their kitty and a positive NRR of +0.151. What to expect: A good batting track so plenty of runs should be expected but dew could definitely play a part in the contest. The team winning the toss would most definitely choose to field first. Lucy Hamilton was brilliant in their last game and could most likely get another go. However, that fourth overseas spot will be between her and Chinelle Henry. The West Indian was injured in Delhi's only win of the season against Gujarat Giants MI's bowling barring Shabnim Ismail struggled initially against UP Warriorz. She is likely to come back into the squad for Hayley Matthews. MI could revert to their original opening combination of Kamalini and Amelia Kerr.