DC fail to make own luck for a third time

It's rare to see Meg Lanning deflated in a dugout in a final.

- Samreen Razzaqui

A serial winner with 7 ICC titles – five as Australia skipper – Lanning isn't used to being second best. Yet, in WPL, her team ending up as second-best has been the pattern. Last year's defeat to RCB in the final left her in tears. This time, though heartbroken, she seemed to convey a sense of acceptance. But three consecutive final losses, despite finishing as table-toppers after the group games each time, will sting.

"We haven't been able to put our best performances in the final, which is disappointing but that's cricket," said Lanning after the loss to Mumbai Indians on their home turf on Saturday night. "No fault of anyone's, we came in as prepped as we could be to do as well as we could. It has just not happened for us. It has been different each time around."

The WPL may be young, just three editions done, but reputations get formed fast – so do psychological barriers. Just ask their IPL counterparts, or RCB and PBKS. Big-match pressure, luck or a growing reputation for falling short can all weigh on a team.