WPL Match 7, Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians – Talking Points and Who Said What?

Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews. (Photo Source: Twitter/WPL)

Mumbai Indians continued their victory march in the Women’s Premier League as they handed Delhi Capitals a crushing defeat in their third game. The game was eagerly awaited by fans as both the teams had blown away their respective oppositions in their first two matches.

Capitals’ captain Meg Lanning won the toss and elected to bat first. However, things didn’t go as per plan as opener Shafali Verma fell early in the second over itself. Captain Lanning continued her good form but got no support from any other batter other than Jemimah Rodrigues as Delhi’s batting unit fell like a house of cards and got bundled out for just 105 in 18 overs.

In reply, Mumbai Indians openers Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia came out all guns blazing as they looked to finish the game as early as possible. As Mumbai continued their reign at the top of the table, let’s take a look at the talking points from the match:

Delhi Capitals’ batting failure

After being put in to bat first in the first two matches, Delhi ended up scoring totals in excess of 200 on both occasions. However, their batting unit just couldn’t get going against Mumbai’s bowlers. They fell prey to some excellent spin bowling and got out looking to break the shackles.

Mumbai Indians’ bowlers dominate

Saika Ishaque continued to wreak havoc with the ball for Mumbai as she picked up 3/13 in her 3 overs. Ishaque got the prized scalps of Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues breaking the back of Delhi’s batting. She was well supported by Hayley Matthews who also picked up 3/19 in 4 overs and picked up the crucial wicket of Jess Jonassen. Issy Wong too finsihed with three wickets to her name.

Jemimah Rodrigues’ catch of Hayley Matthews

The only memorable moment from the game for Delhi was Jemimah’s spectacular catch of Hayley Matthews. On the third ball of the 12th over of the second innings, bowled by Alice Capsey, Matthews smashed the delivery straight down the ground. Jemimah, who was stationed at long-off, came running in and took a stunner diving forward.

Losing Skipper Meg Lanning said:

(On the toss) Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We were actually in a very similar position at the 12-13 over mark. I take a bit of the blame because I took a few balls at the start and then could not capitalise. Mumbai bowled excellently and that is the game – it does not go your way sometimes. There was certainly something in it for the bowlers, which is a good thing. It held a little more than the other tracks we have played on. You can’t go out there and look at 180 right from the start. You get yourself into a bit of trouble if you do that. It was not our best day. We gave it a crack, lots to learn. Rodrigues swung the momentum our way but we just could not capitalise. Capsey bowled well too. Hopefully we can come back in the next game.

Winning Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said:

I think today our bowlers did really well and they bowled according to their plans. They are making my job easier, they are willing to bowl and ready to give us those breakthroughs. When you have so many bowling options, my job is easy. Credit goes to our bowlers for the way they are bowling to their fields. After the last game, we sat and discussed. In the last game, we bowled a few bad balls but today we backed our plans and our skills. Yastika and Hayley gave us a good start and that is what we were looking at. The wicket was a little slow and they (openers) played very sensibly. Now, the tournament is going to start because pitches will be on slower side and we have to keep this going.

Saika Ishaque, Player of the Match said:

I am feeling very happy. It feels like a dream. My coaches have supported me and that is why I have been able to perform. My role is similar and I have to take it one ball and one game at a time. I hope to continue in this way. (On the purple cap) No pressure and I just hope to keep doing well. If I do that, this will stay.

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