ECS Finland, 2025: EMP vs VVP – Eliminator Preview

Event: ECS Finland, 2025
Match: Hadley's Empire XI (EMP) vs Vantaa Vipers (VVP)
Match Name: ECS Finland, 2025 Finals Match Day 1 Match 21 (Eliminator)
Date: 27 June 2025
Start Time: 09:15 Local Time | 10:45 IST
Venue: Kerava National Cricket Ground
Format: T10
Toss: Vantaa Vipers won the toss and elected to bat
Match Type: Eliminator

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The Stage is Set

The ECS Finland, 2025 reaches a fever pitch as Hadley's Empire XI (EMP) lock horns with Vantaa Vipers (VVP) in the high-stakes Eliminator at the picturesque Kerava National Cricket Ground. With a place in the finals on the line, both teams will be eager to bring their best to this T10 showdown. The Vipers, having won the toss, have opted to set a target, putting the onus on their batters to deliver under pressure.

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Predicted Standouts: Who Will Shine?

• Most 6s:Sasindu Wijemuni (VVP) – With a staggering career average of 7 sixes per match, Wijemuni is the clear favourite to clear the ropes most often.
• Most Runs:Sasindu Wijemuni (VVP) – Averaging 56 runs per match, Wijemuni is also the leading candidate to top-score.
• Most Wickets:Sudhanshu Pandey (EMP) & Kripesh Sangroula (EMP) – Both average 1 wicket per match, the highest in this contest.
• Match MVP:Sasindu Wijemuni (VVP) – With an average of 135 fantasy points per match, Wijemuni is the top all-round fantasy performer.

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Team Introductions & Key Stats

Hadley's Empire XI (EMP)

• Team Colours: Black & Pink
• Matches Played: 26
• Matches Won: 16
• Win Percentage: 61.5%
• Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Jordan O'Brien (69 per match)
• Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): Jordan O'Brien (115 per match)
• Top Six-Hitter: Jordan O'Brien (131 career sixes)
• Top Wicket-Taker: Sudhanshu Pandey & Kripesh Sangroula (1 wicket per match)

Vantaa Vipers (VVP)

• Team Colours: Dark Blue
• Matches Played: 15
• Matches Won: 7
• Win Percentage: 46.7%
• Strongest Player (Career Fantasy Avg): Sasindu Wijemuni (135 per match)
• Strongest Player (Current Event Fantasy Avg): Sasindu Wijemuni (135 per match)
• Top Six-Hitter: Sasindu Wijemuni (7 sixes per match, 28 in 4 matches)
• Top Wicket-Taker: Damith Samaranayake (0 wickets per match, but highest bowling fantasy points in a match: 65)

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Player Highlights

Hadley's Empire XI (EMP)

Jordan O'Brien – Batsman, EMP

A prolific run-scorer and EMP’s wicketkeeper, O'Brien boasts 3578 career fantasy points and a remarkable 69 per match average, surging to 115 per match in this event. With 131 sixes and 10 fifties (plus a century), O'Brien is EMP’s most explosive batter. His 5 Player of the Match awards (9.6% of matches) underline his match-winning ability. In the current event, he’s already amassed 385 batting fantasy points, including a fifty and 21 sixes.

Nicholas Salonen – All Rounder, EMP (Captain)

Salonen is a true all-rounder, contributing 3276 career fantasy points (76 per match). He’s hit 93 sixes and 75 fours, with a top score of 88. As captain, his leadership is matched by his consistency, with 3 Player of the Match awards. Salonen’s bowling adds value, with 728 career bowling fantasy points and a best of 3 wickets in a match.

Amjad Sher – All Rounder, EMP

Sher is a reliable all-rounder with 2395 career fantasy points (56 per match) and 5 Player of the Match awards. He’s hit 51 sixes and taken 991 bowling fantasy points, with a best of 3 wickets in a match. In the current event, Sher is peaking, averaging 74 fantasy points per match and contributing with both bat and ball.

Sudhanshu Pandey – Bowler, EMP

Pandey is EMP’s leading wicket-taker, averaging 1 wicket per match and 39 bowling fantasy points per match. In just 4 matches, he’s already delivered a 4-wicket haul and a 128-point bowling performance, making him a key threat with the ball.

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Vantaa Vipers (VVP)

Sasindu Wijemuni – Batsman, VVP

The undoubted star of VVP, Wijemuni has 539 career fantasy points in just 4 matches (135 per match), with 28 sixes and a century to his name. He’s already notched up 2 Player of the Match awards (50% of matches), and his 125 average batting fantasy points per match is unmatched. Expect fireworks from this dynamic batter.

Damith Samaranayake – All Rounder, VVP

Samaranayake brings balance to VVP, with 189 career fantasy points (47 per match) and a best bowling performance of 2 wickets in a match. He’s contributed with both bat (4 sixes) and ball (92 bowling fantasy points), and his all-round skills could be vital in the Eliminator.

Pavan Karunarathne – Bowler, VVP

Karunarathne has 141 career fantasy points (35 per match), with 4 sixes and a top score of 26. His bowling has yielded 54 fantasy points, and while wickets have been elusive, his ability to keep things tight could be crucial.

Piumal Madhusanka – Batsman, VVP (Captain)

Madhusanka, the VVP captain, has 148 career fantasy points (37 per match) and a fifty to his name. With 7 sixes and 4 fours, he’s a steady presence at the top of the order and will look to anchor the innings.

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Key Player Matchups: Head-to-Head

• Jordan O'Brien (EMP) vs Sasindu Wijemuni (VVP):

  • O'Brien: 28 runs per match, 2 sixes per match, 61 batting fantasy points per match
  • Wijemuni: 56 runs per match, 7 sixes per match, 125 batting fantasy points per match
  • Edge: Wijemuni, but O'Brien’s experience and consistency make this a marquee battle.

• Sudhanshu Pandey & Kripesh Sangroula (EMP) vs VVP Batters:

  • Both EMP bowlers average 1 wicket per match, with high bowling fantasy points (Pandey: 39, Sangroula: 55).
  • VVP’s top order, especially Wijemuni, will be tested by this duo.

• Amjad Sher (EMP) vs Damith Samaranayake (VVP):

  • Both are all-rounders, but Sher’s 991 career bowling fantasy points and 51 sixes give EMP an edge in the all-rounder department.

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Captain & Vice-Captain Recommendations

Safe Choices:

• Sasindu Wijemuni (VVP): Unmatched fantasy average, six-hitting prowess, and run-scoring consistency.
• Jordan O'Brien (EMP): Consistent fantasy returns, explosive batting, and strong fielding contributions.

Bold Picks:

• Amjad Sher (EMP): All-round potential, especially if EMP bowl first.
• Damith Samaranayake (VVP): Capable of contributing in both departments, could be a differential pick.

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Insights & Key Matchups

• EMP’s Batting Depth vs VVP’s Explosive Top Order:
  EMP have multiple players capable of big scores, but VVP’s fortunes rest heavily on Wijemuni’s shoulders. If EMP can dismiss him early, they’ll have a significant advantage.

• EMP’s Bowling Threat:
  With Pandey and Sangroula both averaging a wicket per match, VVP’s batters will need to be at their best to post a competitive total.

• Fielding Impact:
  EMP’s fielders, especially O'Brien and Aravind Mohan, have shown the ability to change games with catches and run-outs.

• Fantasy X-Factor:
  Watch for Kripesh Sangroula (EMP) – with a 59 fantasy point average and two 3-wicket hauls in the event, he could be the surprise package.

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Conclusion

The Eliminator promises a thrilling contest between EMP’s all-round strength and VVP’s explosive batting. With star performers like Sasindu Wijemuni and Jordan O'Brien in the spotlight, expect a high-octane clash where every run and wicket will count. Fantasy managers and fans alike should keep a close eye on the key matchups and be ready for fireworks at Kerava!

Don’t miss the action as the road to the ECS Finland, 2025 final heats up!