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Deepti Sharma-led Velocity started their Women’s T20 Challenge with a convincing win over Supernovas at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. Harmanpreet Kaur’s 71 went in vain as Shafali Verma and Laura Wolvaardt scored half-centuries to finish off the run chase in the penultimate over.
Shafali’s onslaught
Chasing 151, in-form Pooja Vastrakar got rid of opener Natthakan Chantham in her first over. However, the wicket did not have an effect on Shafali Verma who went all guns blazing against Supernovas bowlers. Shafali's sensational hitting helped Velocity dominate the run chase.
Yastika Bhatia tried to do the same too but got dismissed by Deandra Dottin in the eighth over. The left-handed batter contributed with 17 runs off 13 deliveries. Shafali reached her half-century in the ninth over from just 30 deliveries. Dottin struck again and got the wicket of Shafali. The hard-hitting teenager scored 51 runs from 33 deliveries including nine fours and one six.
Laura dominates run chase
Laura and skipper Deepti took charge of the run chase. The South Africa batter took her time at the start but accelerated in the 14th over. For the rest of the run chase, Deepti played second fiddle to Laura. She got to her half-century in the penultimate over with a six off Dottin. Velocity won the game with 10 balls to spare. Laura remained unbeaten for 51 off 35 deliveries whereas Deepti scored 24 runs from 25 deliveries.
Early wickets
Earlier, Supernovas got off to a poor start. Kate Cross was exceptional with the new ball as she got rid of opener Priya Punia and Harleen Deol in consecutive overs. Skipper Deepti joined the party as well and got the wicket of dangerous Dottin. Taniya Bhatia and skipper Harmanpreet did damage control. At halfway stage, Supernovas were 60/3.
Rebuilding phase
They accelerated in the 13th over as Harmanpreet took on spinner Maya Sonawane. The partnership was broken after a terrible mix-up between the two. Taniya tried to take a quick single after a wide delivery and was caught well-short of the crease. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 36 runs from 32 deliveries.
Harmanpreet goes big
Despite the wicket, Harmanpreet found the perfect partner in Sune Luus. She got to her half-century from 42 deliveries. In the 18th over, she targetted Sneh Rana and hit her four two fours and one six. In the penultimate over, she hit Radha Yadav for a six but got bowled off the final delivery by the left-arm spinner. She scored 71 runs from 51 deliveries. The captain's knock included seven fours and three sixes.
On the other hand, Luus remained unbeaten for a 14-ball 20 and helped Supernovas post a fighting total of 150/5.
