WPL 2023: MI-W vs DEL-W 18th Match – Predicted Mumbai Indians Women Playing XI vs Delhi Capitals Women

Mumbai Indians. (Photo Source: Twitter/WPL)

Mumbai Indians finally succumbed to their first defeat of the Women’s Premier League after they were beaten in a hard-fought contest against the UP Warriorz. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side failed to post a competitive total in their first innings, arguably their first failure with the bat in the tournament as nobody went on to play a substantial innings.

Although the Mumbai bowlers put up a valiant fight defending a modest total, it was their failure with the bat that led to their demise. It is a necessary shock in the system for the league leaders as they face a determined Delhi Capitals in their upcoming match with the playoffs on the horizon.

Here’s Mumbai Indians predicted XI for the 18th match against Delhi Capitals :

Openers – Yastika Bhatia (wk), Hayley Matthews

Yastika Bhatia’s numbers against the UP Warriorz made for a terrible reading as she managed just seven runs after eating up 15 deliveries at the top of the order. It was a rare failure for the young wicketkeeper-batter as she has been one of the most in-form batters for the Mumbai-based outfit in their recent matches.

Hayley Matthews’ rut with the bat finally came to an end after the Windies skipper held one end for the Mumbai Indians with her 30-ball 35 runs. She also provided her side with the first breakthrough in the second innings on her very first delivery of the match.

Middle order – Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c)

Mumbai Indians succumbed to their very first defeat in the ongoing WPL as they failed to put on a competitive total on the board. Influential English all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt failed to make an impact with the bat as her side managed just 127 runs in their 20 overs. She was disciplined as ever with the ball, returning with 1/24 in her four overs.

With the Mumbai-based outfit in a perilous situation during the first innings of their last match, the onus was on flamboyant skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to rescue her side to safety. She did manage to steady the ship for a brief while, but her untimely dismissal contributed to a mediocre total for the league leaders.

All-rounders – Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Dhara Gujjar

Amelia Kerr’s form with the bat is a warning sign for the Mumbai Indians as they move into the business end of the tournament. Although she is a constant threat with the ball and has got ten wickets to show for her efforts, Harmanpreet Kaur will be hoping for more runs from the talented all-rounder in the middle order.

Amanjot Kaur would not be looking back at her performance with fondness either as she could not make an impact in her previous outing for the Mumbai Indians. She returned to the pavilion with just five runs to her name and leaked 11 runs in her solitary over in a low-scoring affair against the UP Warriorz.

Bowlers – Issy Wong, Humaira Kazi, Saika Ishaque, Jintimani Kalita

While most of the Mumbai Indians batters struggled for timing against the UP Warriorz, Issy Wong seemed to be batting on a different surface altogether. The 20-year-old English cricketer smashed 32 off just 19 deliveries before an unfortunate run-out halted her progress. She also scalped the important wicket of Alyssa Healy to hand her side a good start in their defence.

For a second consecutive game in the ongoing tournament, Saika Ishaque failed to bag even a solitary wicket in the match. It seems like the batters are happy to contend with the left-arm spinner as she conceded just 22 runs in her four overs. Mumbai Indians will hope that the 27-year-old can rediscover the form that she displayed in the first four matches of the tournament.

As for Humaira Kazi and Jintimani Kalita, the duo were restricted to just a handful of deliveries with the bat during Mumbai Indians’ underwhelming batting performance. Humaira Kazi was cleaned up by Rajeshwari Gayakwad, while Jintimani Kalita remained unbeaten at the crease after scoring three runs in three deliveries.

Mumbai Indians Women (MI-W):

Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Dhara Gujjar, Humaira Kazi, Issy Wong, Jintimani Kalita, Saika Ishaque

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