At the same time, they are different as leaders on the cricket field. Captaining the Delhi Capitals, Meg is enjoying life in franchise cricket after calling it quits at the international level. With seven World Cup titles and a Commonwealth Games gold medal, Meg is tactically astute and is credited for bringing the best out of people, seen in DC making their second straight WPL final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the other hand, Smriti has previously filled in as India\u2019s captain when Harmanpreet Kaur was unavailable. When Royal Challengers Bangalore finished fourth in WPL 2023, Smriti was far from her expected best as a leader. But this time, she has been more assured and proactive in leading RCB to their first WPL final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
When Smriti was asked about the plan to outsmart Meg in the leadership front during Sunday\u2019s final, it made the duo smile. \u201cI think we give a lot of importance to the role of captainship. I think it is as good as his or her team. Nothing changes on Sunday. We\u2019re taking on a good Delhi Capitals' side that has played some amazing cricket over the last two seasons.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cNothing changes for us. One thing cricket has taught me is that we have to stay in the present. I have not had that conversation with my other India teammates on how to outsmart anyone. We\u2019re just focusing on playing good cricket, and whoever does that is going to win,\u201d said Smriti in the pre-final press conference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She also had some admirable words for Meg Lanning and the way she took Australia to greater heights. \u201cI always looked up to her (Lanning), a little conversation with someone who understands batting as much as she does really helps. Really taught me how to look up to other players. From the time I (made my) debut, Lanning was the top run scorer for Australia. It\u2019s been nice to watch the way she has gone about.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In reply, Meg was effusive in her praise for Smriti and how she\u2019s shaping as a leader, making one feel like the duo had already entered a mutual admiration club full of kind-heartedness. \u201cWhenever we came up against India, we always spoke about how to get Smriti out early because we knew just how dangerous she could be. She\u2019s a proven matchwinner in any condition.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cShe\u2019s on her own leadership journey where she\u2019ll go through her own ups and downs, and it\u2019s starting to sound like she\u2019s starting to understand the ins and outs of that, and obviously, she\u2019s done an awesome job with RCB this year,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the five-run Eliminator win over MI, Smriti went through a range of emotions whenever a chance of dismissal was squandered and at the end of the match, she looked in disbelief and had tears of joy in her eyes over RCB getting a thrilling win. In comparison, Meg has managed to perfect the art of having a poker face while being at the cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cDefinitely, the emotions kicked in. That said, the group was really calm, no matter what was happening out there. Even if it looked extreme, after winning, we had a bit of a celebration because sometimes, however, you want to control emotions, they come out. I am happy we have experienced something like this, for me personally too. It is good sometimes to express these feelings, and it only gives this group more confidence,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Whoever between RCB and DC wins the WPL 2024 title, it will be the first major title win for the franchise across its franchise competitions in India, something which their male counterparts are yet to do. RCB had made it to the final in IPL 2009 after missing the bus in the first season in 2008.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Likewise, RCB women missed Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023 knockouts and find themselves in the final of the 2024 edition. Does that comparison rings anything in her mind? No, said Smriti. \u201cFirstly, I think this year was really important for us to connect to the whole franchise with what\u2019s happened with the men, sometimes it puts pressure.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo we were just thinking that we are two seasons into it, so let\u2019s not put too much stress. So not really co-relate with what happened with the men\u2019s team. What cricket has taught is it is important to live in the present. It\u2019s just about playing good cricket on that particular day, whoever plays the best cricket tomorrow is going to win.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cLast year wasn\u2019t the greatest campaign for RCB. The conversation in the last 25 days has always been around we are enjoying each other\u2019s company, really focused on the process, and training well. So doesn\u2019t change anything. We are not changing anything overnight because it is a final.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Delhi Capitals played in last year\u2019s WPL final and ended up as runners-up, but Meg stated the side is focused on the job for Sunday instead of thinking about what happened the last time in this situation. \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019ve thought too much about what happened last year. Like Smriti said, what matters is what happens tomorrow. Even the events of the season don\u2019t matter; it\u2019s how you play on the day that matters\u2014preparing on the day, adapting on your feet, and taking on what\u2019s ahead of you.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe experience of last year, I guess, helps in a way because we know we\u2019ve been there before. But it doesn\u2019t drive us in any different way. We don\u2019t feel we need to get one back. We\u2019ve played some really good cricket throughout the tournament, and we\u2019re happy to allow ourselves to do that again. Hopefully, we can execute well where we need to,\u201d she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If RCB claims the glittering WPL trophy, Smriti\u2019s captaincy credentials will receive a huge shot in the arm while also bringing an end to the franchise\u2019s trophy drought.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A victory on home turf for DC will provide Meg with the missing piece to complete her illustrious championship wins CV\u2014a T20 franchise trophy. An engrossing Sunday evening in Delhi is set to become witness to which of the two leaders, who are alike yet distinct, will win the silverware in front of a sell-out crowd.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/03\/wpl-2024-smriti-mandhana-meg-lanning-similar-yet-different-leaders-on-the-cusp-of-trophy.jpeg", "alt_img": "WPL 2024: Smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning \u2013 similar yet different leaders on the cusp of trophy", "alt_title": "WPL 2024: Smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning \u2013 similar yet different leaders on the cusp of trophy", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "WPL 2024: Smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning \u2013 Similar Yet Different Leaders On The Cusp Of Trophy On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "WPL 2024: Smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning \u2013 Similar Yet Different Leaders On The Cusp Of Trophy, When Royal Challengers Bangalore: There is a thread which connect Smriti Mandhana and Meg Lanning \u2013- of being run-makers who.", "seo_keywords": "Smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning, Premier League, Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, Delhi Capitals, World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Harmanpreet Kaur, When Royal Challengers Bangalore, When Smriti, Like Smriti, If RCB", "tag": "", "tagging": "Smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning, Premier League, Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, Delhi Capitals, World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Harmanpreet Kaur, When Royal Challengers Bangalore, When Smriti, Like Smriti, If RCB", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "wpl-2024-smriti-mandhana-meg-lanning-similar-yet-different-leaders-on-the-cusp-of-trophy", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "1057", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2024-03-16 19:52:03", "updated": "2024-03-16 19:52:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning, Premier League, Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, Delhi Capitals, World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Harmanpreet Kaur, When Royal Challengers Bangalore, When Smriti, Like Smriti, If RCB", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-03-16 19:52:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/wpl-2024-smriti-mandhana-meg-lanning-similar-yet-different-leaders-on-the-cusp-of-trophy-140505" }