Probable XI: Yastika Bhatia (wk), Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, G Kamalini, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Jintimani Kalita

 

Mumbai Indians are at home. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium might be red and buzzing for RCB, but the inaugural champions are the ones who’ve arrived in style in Bengaluru. Just a night before MI take the field for the third time at the venue this season, Smriti Mandhana’s team limped to their third straight loss at the venue. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side meanwhile have two wins in two there, and harbour hopes of keeping that run going to stay put at the top of the points table.

Before MI took flight, with three successful run-chases that was facilitated by the combination of luck at the toss and all-round effort with the ball, they were handed a losing start to the season by their opponents for Friday (February 28). Delhi Capitals downed them despite the best efforts of Nat-Sciver Brunt (81 off 43). Meg Lanning’s team will hope to take a shot at MI once more, with the idea of toppling them off the perch. DC too could’ve had MI’s run at the venue, only to be undone by UP Warriorz’s #8 batter Chenille Henry’s incredible six hitting (62 off 23, 2x4s, 8x6s).

Friday’s top-of-the-table clash promises a tight, entertaining contest and for the stands to fill up well, even if the usually overwhelming sea of red has to turn to two (barely) different shades of blue.

When: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians, February 28, 2024, 7:30 PM IST

Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

What to expect: An influential toss. Five of the six games this season have been won by chasing sides this season. Conditions have been kinder to the batters, even as RCB were restricted to 125/7 in their third defeat at the venue.

Team News:

Delhi Capitals

DC are unlikely to tinker with the XI that secured a comfortable six-wicket win over Gujarat Giants two nights ago