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Both the Delhi Capitals and the UP Warriorz saw their top-order batters establish solid foundations during the evening of dominant opening partnerships. However, in the Women's Premier League's (WPL) last league stage encounter of the Vadodara leg at the Kotambi International Stadium on Wednesday, the Capitals prevailed by seven wickets after another nerve-wracking game. Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning got right into it, and the captain found some much-needed form. On her way to her game-winning knock of 69 off 49, she penetrated the gaps, especially on the off-side, and stitched a breezy 65-run stand with the Indian opener.
After being dropped off Deepti Sharma's bowling at deep mid-wicket by WPL rookie Chinelle Henry, Shafali survived a scare. However, the UPW captain pulled her out once again with a long delivery outside, which Henry managed to hold onto this time. After leaving for a two-ball duck, Jemimah Rodrigues' tenuous start to the season persisted. The Warriorz were given a boost of confidence with two quick wickets, but Lanning and Annabel Sutherland's blitz quickly silenced them. However, after taking the valuable wicket of the well-set Lanning, who attempted to flick across her stumps but was hit by a full-length ball, Grace Harris gave UP new hope.
The Warriorz made an effort to take advantage of every chance, but their poor fielding performance let DC win the game. In the final over, Marizanne Kapp dived to safety at the bowler's end to secure the victory for the Capitals. Sutherland picked up two crucial wickets and scored an undefeated 41 in an all-around performance. Kiran Navgire, the opener, gave the Warriorz, who were put into bat, the ideal start by destroying the DC bowling attack. Playing the aggressive role, she rushed to a 24-ball fifty and punished the smallest width to the fence. Before Sutherland's skillfully struck short, cross-seam deliveries claimed both wickets, opener Vrinda Dinesh helped put together the first-wicket stand of 65 runs.
To get UP openers to release their arms, DC bowlers started hammering the ball into the pitch on an unevenly bounced pitch. Navgire, who had been misfiring on the short balls all along, got a top-edge to Shafali Verma at deep fine leg, while Vrinda was unable to clear the ball beyond Jemimah Rodrigues at deep mid-wicket. Thanks to Sarah Bryce's fast stumpings, the Capitals swiftly recovered to tie the score. Despite their best efforts, Tahlia McGrath and captain Deepti were defeated by the spin, with the Scottish wicketkeeper taking the brunt of it. In a 12-run stretch, the Warriorz had unexpectedly lost four wickets.
After being promoted up the order, Shweta Sehrawat demonstrated her game iq and assisted UP in regaining stability. Henry, who blasted experienced Shikha Pandey for 20 runs in four balls, proved to be an able partner for her. The young player attempted to hit deep mid-wicket with Kapp's slower off-cutter, but it went straight to Jemimah. The Warriorz had to settle for a respectable 167 after a run out off the final ball, but they were unable to build on their encouraging start and ended the leg at the foot of the table without a point.
