It’s Supernovas vs Trailblazers again in the Women’s T20 Challenge 2020 and this time it is the final encounter of the tournament. After a nail-biting finish in the previous face off, once again these two teams will be seen taking on each other in the finale at Sharjah.
The last match of the group stage saw a brilliant Radha Yadav managing to win the match for Supernovas by just two runs. On the other hand, a determiner Deepti Sharma was looking all set to take Trailblazers to the finishing line. In the last year’s final also Radha Yadav had done it for Supernovas, led by Harmanpreet Kaur. The openers including Chamari Atapattu of Supernovas would like to replicate their previous performances.
However, more than one big knock from the Supernovas batters should make things more comfortable for them. Jemimah Rodrigues was dismissed for seven and one in group matches and she is required to perform in the final match. Rodrigues must remind all about her last year’s performance which had helped her win the player of the series award. In the bowling department, Supernovas have some reliable names including Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav, Ayabonga Khaka, Shakera Salman.
Trailblazers boast of a balanced side with some of the best T20 performers of the cricket world at present. They have Deandra Dottin to open their innings followed by Indian superstars like Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma. In their first match of the season Mandhana’s Trailblazers had a fascinating win as they bundled up Mithali Raj’s Velocity for just 47 runs.
A bowling unit comprising Sophie Eccleston, Jhulan Goswami and Rajeshwari Gayakwad did the job for the side and in reply it was an easy chase for Trailblazers with Dottin and Ghosh completing the target. Although Ghosh failed in the second match, in her first Women’s T20 Challenger she should focus on making an impact in the big match. The bowlers did well in the second match against Velocity too. They had limited success with scalping wickets but they hardly spared any chance for Raj’s team. A couple of good knocks at the top order and tight bowling can help Trailblazers claim the 2020 title.
Predicted XIs
Supernovas: 1 Chamari Atapattu, 2 Priya Punia, 3 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 4 Jemimah Rodrigues, 5 Shashikala Siriwardene, 6 Anuja Patil/Pooja Vastrakar, 7 Radha Yadav, 8 Taniya Bhatia (wk), 9 Poonam Yadav, 10 Shakera Selman, 11 Ayabonga Khaka
Trailblazers: 1 Smriti Mandhana (capt), 2 Deandra Dottin, 3 Richa Ghosh (wk), 4 Deepti Sharma, 5 D Hemalatha, 6 Harleen Deol, 7 Sophie Ecclestone, 8 Salma Khatun, 9 Natakkan Chantam, 10 Rajeshwari Gayakwad, 11 Jhulan Goswami