A hat trick is always special. Whether as a bowler with the ball or a captain with the wins. We are on the cusp of registering one if we win against Delhi Capitals, who have also hit the right note and are enjoying the winning music. It is all about who blinks first.

Our bowlers ran through the star-studded RCB top-order in our last game. Remember, 4 wickets for 4 runs? And then the Hayley-Nat show made a mockery of the run chase. In fact both our games thus far have been super one-sided.

However, it will not be a walk in the park as Delhi look just as good as us and are riding a similar wave. Not the time for us to be complacent and sit on our laurels because this is just the beginning.

So, what are our possible threats? DC’s devastating opening pair in Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma. They have been tonking the ball at will. But trust our think tank needs to work overtime to find ways to see the back of these two at the earliest. Besides, there are the two left-armers in pace sensation Tara Norris, who has already had a fifer in this competition, and spinner Jess Jonassen, who can pull off magic with both bat and ball.

Brace up Paltan. This promises to be seriously mouth-watering. The making of an El Classico?

What to expect: Our Kaptaan Kaur would be desperate to settle scores against her Delhi Capitals’ counterpart and the Aussie captain, Meg Lanning. The scars of the 2022 ICC Women’s World T20 semi-final, the 2022 Commonwealth Games final and the 2020 ICC Women’s World T20 final are still very fresh.  Beware, Meg!

Where: DY Patil Cricket Stadium, Navi Mumbai

When: Thursday, March 9, 2023 - 7.30 PM IST

What you need to do: Nothing different from what you did for our last two games. Wear the same clothes, eat from the same tub of popcorn, and hold onto the same seat. Let’s make it three on the trot, Paltan!