Heading in the direction of the opening sport of Women’s Premier League season two, a high-scoring last-ball thriller would’ve in all probability been on the high of the want listing for organisers and followers alike. At the M Chinnaswamy stadium on Friday, that’s precisely how issues panned out as defending champions Mumbai Indians obtained the higher of Delhi Capitals in what was a repeat of final yr’s remaining.
Sajana remained unfazed and supplied the sport an unforgettable end by hitting a six.
Delhi Capitals had been in a promising place after being requested to bat first as Alice Capsey (75 off 53) performed the knock of the match to take them to 171/5. Mumbai Indians then stitched collectively a superb chase as Yastika Bhatia and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur struck half-centuries. However, with 5 wanted off the final ball, Sajeevan Sajana, on debut, despatched the ball hovering over the rope to assist MI full the third-highest profitable chase within the WPL’s brief historical past.
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It was a glamorous begin to the night as Shah Rukh Khan led a bevy of Bollywood actors in a spherical of dance performances. The captains of the 5 groups – Harmanpreet Kaur (MI), Meg Lanning (DC), Alyssa Healy (UPW), Smriti Mandhana (RCB) and Beth Mooney (GG) – together with the BCCI high brass, led by president Roger Binny and secretary Jay Shah, obtained on the stage as effectively for pictures.
But as soon as the cricket took centre stage, each groups went on to placed on fairly a present in entrance of a sizeable crowd.
South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail, who was MI’s costliest participant within the public sale at ₹1.2 crore, wasted no time in exhibiting her class and expertise. Shafali Verma was cleaned up early and DC discovered themselves underneath strain at 6/1 after three overs.
From there, nevertheless, Capsey launched a counterattack by going after each bowler within the MI assault. The 19-year-old, who edged out Australia’s Jess Jonassen for a spot within the taking part in XI, added a 64-run partnership with skipper Meg Lanning and a 74-run stand with Jemimah Rodrigues.
What stood out in Capsey’s knock was the best way she used her toes. The right-hander saved lifting the ball over the infield and struck 9 fours and three sixes in her knock. Shabnim (1/24) and left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque’s (0/17) tidy spells proved to be essential for MI ultimately.
“Loved being back, it’s an amazing competition to be a part of and I’m delighted to contribute,” stated Capsey. “I’m feeling really fresh and in a good place to go out there and execute. Just wanted to put pressure on the bowlers in any way possible. I thought the partnership between me and Meg was really crucial, she’s really good at keeping things calm and clear.”
Things went from dangerous to worse for MI as they misplaced West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews, who gained the Most Valuable Player award final season, off the second ball within the chase. Marizanne Kapp bowled a wicket-maiden first up and Shikha Pandey conceded simply six runs within the second over.
But like Capsey earlier, Yastika Bhatia confirmed braveness to go on the offensive. The keeper-batter performed some stylish strokes to launch the strain however MI had been dealt a significant blow once more as Natalie Sciver-Brunt, who had starred in final yr’s remaining, was despatched packing by Arundhati Reddy.
Yastika was joined by Harmanpreet on the crease and the duo added 56 runs for the third wicket earlier than Arundhati supplied one other breakthrough. Amelia Kerr chipped in with an 18-ball 24 however for MI to recover from the road, they wanted their captain to remain until the tip.
Harmanpreet hit Annabel Sutherland for six off the final ball of the penultimate over to go away MI with 12 runs to get off the final over. Lanning put her religion in Capsey to get the job achieved and the off-spinner put DC in pole place by dismissing Harmanpreet. But Sajana remained unfazed and supplied the sport an unforgettable end by hitting a six.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
