The Indian Premier League 2020 has reached the end of this League stages with Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers confirming their spot at the play-offs. The 56th and last match of the league stage which is set to take place between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians. The scenario remains critical for Sunrisers as they need to win the match here to go through, while a defeat here would send the Kolkata Knight Riders in.
If this intensity and action is not enough, The BCCI has come up with the entertaining Women’s T20 Challenge which will double the entertainment for the fans. The first match of the Women’s T20 Challenge is set to take place between the two times champions Supernovas and the 2019 finalist Velocity. The much anticipated encounter is set to take place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The previous encounter between the two sides was at the 2019 Women’s T20 Challenge final which was held at Jaipur. The match went down the wire as the Supernovas required one run of the last ball and the cool head of Radha Yadav ensured they got over line by scoring a boundary and Supernovas also successfully defended their title.
Can the Supernovas continue their winning streak against Velocity? Or will the Velocity this time be able to turn the tables in their favor?
Head to Head
Matches Played- 2, Supernovas- 2, Velocity- 0, N/R- 0
Team News
The Supernovas have not reported any injuries and all the players seem to fit to go. The players arrived in UAE last week and have completed the quarantine period.
While the Velocity were struck a huge blow as their key bowler- Mansi Joshi has been ruled out of the tournament after being tested positive for Covid-19.
Pitch and Conditions
Sharjah pitch at the beginning of the IPL 2020 was a paradise for the batsmen. But over time has slowed down considerably. Said that, the boundaries are really short at the Sharjah Stadium and that could go in favor of the batswoman. The dew was seen playing a vital role in the last game played between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. For that the due is once again expected to play a vital role in this match.
The conditions are well in favor of cricket. Clear skies are expected throughout the day with no chance of the weather playing spoilsport. The temperature is expected to be hovering in the range of 27-30 degrees. While the humidity at the peak would be 58% and lowest- around the 46% percent mark.
Probable Playing Xl
Supernovas: Priya Punia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Chamari Attapattu, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Anuja Patil, Shashikala Siriwardene, Taniya Bhatia(wk), Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav, Shakera Selman, Ayobonga Khaka
Velocity: Danielle Wyatt, Veda Krishnamurthy, Mithali Raj(c), Shefali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Leigh Kasperek, Sune Luus, Sushma Verma(wk),Ekta Bisht, Jahanara Alam, Angha Murali
Key Battles
Jemimah Rodrigues(Supernovas) vs Leigh Kasperek(Velocity)
The Supernovas opener Jemimah Rodrigues is one of the hardest hitters of the ball and she will be definitely hoping she can carry on her prime from which was in the International games for Team India. While on the other side is the Kiwis all-rounder Leigh Kasperek who has been doing a great job with the ball as well as the bat. The 28- year old off-spinner is definitely someone who will be playing a major role for the velocity in this tournament.
Can the Indian hard-hitter dominate the proceedings? Or will the kiwis spinner take control of the game?
Danielle Wyatt (Velocity) vs Poonam Yadav (Supernovas)
The majestic English batswoman has been making the headlines throughout her career and there is no doubt her role is going to be a vital one for the Velocity, who are yet to defeat the Supernovas. On the other side for the Supernovas will be the leggie Poonam Yadav. The 29- year old is someone who contains the runs very well and loves to create pressure on the opposition. She will be looking forward to continuing the same tactics against the big fish- Danielle Wyatt.
Will the English opener come out all guns blazing? Or will the leggie be able to trap her?
Prediction
The Supernovas led by Harmanpreet Kaur are undefeated in the two matches played against Velocity. Said that, the last time the two sides met, the match was taken to the very last ball. The Velocity look a much stronger side and seem more balanced in their attack. The conditions will suit the hard- hitters and Velocity has one of the best hitters of the ball in form of 16- year old Shefali Verma.
The Velocity looks like a tougher side on the sheet. But the Supernovas have a more experienced side. Considering the form of the current players the Velocity seem to have a slight advantage.
Cricwizz Predicts Velocity to win the match
