Meg Lanning-led Delhi Capitals registered the second-biggest win of Women’s Premier league (WPL) 2023. Capitals beat Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai Indians by nine wickets with 66 balls to spare and dethroned them from the top of points table, avenging the defeat in the previous encounter. With one more game to go, Capitals have a chance to finish on the top and advance to the final straightaway.
The target of 110 did not pose a threat. Lanning and Shafali Verma took on the bowlers during fielding restrictions. They crossed the 50-run mark in just four overs. Shafali hit Hayley Matthews for a big one but lost her wicket in an attempt to charge down the wicket. She scored 33 runs from just 15 deliveries including six fours and one six. Lanning finished the powerplay overs with a six. DC were on top with 67 runs on the board.
Matthews' next over turned out to be a very expensive over. Alice Capsey hit her for three sixes in the over. Saika Ishaque took a beating as well. Capsey hit her for two sixes and one four. Capitals chased down the total with 11 overs to spare. Lanning remained not out for 22-ball 32 including four fours and one six. On the other end, Capsey's 17-ball 38 was laced with one four and five sixes.
Earlier, Lanning won the toss and opted to field first. Marizanne Kapp struck twice in the third over. Yastika Bhatia got out after scoring just a single whereas Nat Sciver-Brunt got bowled. In the next over, in-form Matthews got dismissed by Shikha Pandey. Jemimah Rodrigues took a stunner diving to his right to take the catch. MI were 10/3 in the third over. They could score only nine more runs in the powerplay overs. Arundhati Reddy struck in her first over with the wicket of Amelia Kerr.
Skipper Harmanpreet and Pooja Vastrakar tried to rebuild the innings. Vastrakar scored a few boundaries but left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen broke the partnership in the 12th over. Vastrakar scored 26 off 19 deliveries. Pandey came back into the attack and dismissed Harmanpreet who was anchoring the innings. Once again Rodrigues took the catch. Harmanpreet scored 23 runs from 26 deliveries. Amanjot Kaur gave the scoring rate a much-needed boost. She was well supported by Wong. In the final over, Jonassen got rid of Wong who contributed with a 24-ball 23. On the last ball, Amanjot got run out. She scored 19 runs off 16 balls. Mumbai Indians managed to post a below par total of 109/8.
“I think we were 40-50 runs short. We were looking for early breakthroughs but they batted very well. Dew was there but we didn't bowl to our plans, we bowled really short today. Well, we surely have to bat well now. We do have good players but sometimes things like this can happen. We won't get overconfident now and stick to our basics,” Harmanpreet told broadcasters in post-match presentation.
ALSO READ:
