"The break is working to our advantage, we're ready for WPL final": Rodrigues

Delhi Capitals vicecaptain Jemimah Rodrigues stated that the long gap between the last league match and the Womens Premier League WPL final has reenergized the sideFurther she said that it will work to her teams advantage in the WPL 2025 finalThe Capitals have qualified for their third straight WPL final after Mumbai Indians were defeated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the last league match at Mumbai on March 11In the WPL 2025 final Delhi Capitals will face the eventual winners of the match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat GiantsThe Capitals had finished their league engagements on March 7 with a defeat against Gujarat Giants Hence they had to wait until the match between RCB and MI to decide the group leadersIts the gap actually working for our team Weve had a lot of team bonding sessions and at the same time this WPL was a bit hectic for us We did play backtoback games we traveled and we played too Jemimah Rodrigues said in a virtual press meet on ThursdayAlso ReadWPL 2025 Smriti Mandhana reveals the reason why MI vs RCB rivalry is specialRodrigues said the DC have had good training sessions in the last six days and that will stand her team in good steadI think getting this break is honestly how I look at it and I think how the team is looking at it that its working to our advantage she saidSo I think sometimes its nice to have this break and yes you know were ready for the finals They are looking forward to it Were prepared well You know like the other two years this year has not been like the smoothest sailing for usBut like I said in one of the interviews that this team just doesnt know how to give up and were going to come back stronger this year she notedHowever the WPL draw meant that the Capitals advanced to the final without having played a single league match at the Brabourne StadiumJemimah Rodrigues did not read too much into thatThe thing is that everyone in our team has played on these pitches in Mumbai Everyones pretty familiar with the conditions and the pitchesAnd like I said weve been having good practice sessions on these off days which is preparing us well enough to adjust to the conditionsThe Mumbai pitch is a batters dream The outfields fast So yeah I mean we are really looking forward to it and so are our bowlers Theyve come up with their plansiquest she saidRodrigues said the experience of skipper Meg Lanning will help DC in landing their maiden WPL title after defeats in the last two editionsI think Meg is someone who wants to win who wants to win every game The thing I love about Meg and this is something that I would like to add in myself also Shes calm but aggressive at the same time And I think as a leader thats a very very crucial quality to haveShe told me last year that as a captain its very important that I set the tone for the team If I stay calm and because everyones looking up to me and if I am calm I know the team is calmShafali Verma made a bright return to her runmaking ways after a slew of disappointing moments last year where she was also dropped from the Indian teamRodrigues patted the opener for keeping her composure during tough timesShafali is such an inspiration in the way shes come back The kind of strikerate and the kind of impact shes been having for the team I think it just shows her character she saidHaving featured in eight WPL 2025 matches Shafali Verma has garnered 300 runs with four halfcenturies to her nameBut to be dropped and to come back the way she did I think hats off to her I cant wait to see her Im sure shell be back soon in the Indian team too said RodriguesVeteran pacer Shikha Pandey has also contributed heavily to DCs win taking 11 wickets from eight matches at an acceptable economy rate of 701In fact she is currently holding the fifth place in the wickettakers list and Rodrigues lauded Pandey for continuing to churn out impressive performancesShes always bowled those crucial overs always nailed her yorkers always been so crucial in DC winning She wants the tougher oversI think when the going gets tough thats when Shikha Pandey comes in and thats when it gets the best out of her Thats what sets her apart she saidWith PTI Inputs