Delhi Capitals. (Photo Source: Twitter/WPL)
The Women’s Premier League’s league stage ended on Tuesday, March 21, as Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz locked horns in match 20 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. The game was important for Delhi as a win would’ve ensured them a top place in the points table, giving them a direct entry into the finals.
Delhi captain Meg Lanning won the toss and invited UP Warriorz to bat first. UP openers captain Alyssa Healy and Shweta Sehrawat added 30 runs for the first wicket in 25 balls. The partnership was broken by Radha Yadav, who dismissed Sehrawat for 19 off 12 balls.
Healy tried to take the innings forward but was dismissed on 36 off 34 by Alice Capsey. UP lost their third wicket in the twelfth over in the form of Simran Shaikh, who could only score 11 off 23 and were 71/3 after 12 overs.
Tahlia McGrath took it upon herself to guide her team to a respectable total and scored an unbeaten 58 off 32 balls smashing eight fours and two sixes in her innings. She didn’t get support from any other batter as UP finished their innings on 138/6.
Alice Capsey was the pick of the bowlers from UP, who picked up 3/26 in four overs, while Radha Yadav also picked up 2/28 in her four-over spell.
In reply, Delhi’s famed opening duo of Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning came out all guns blazing and immediately took the attack to UP. They added 56 runs for the first wicket in 29 balls and were looking to finish the chase quickly to seal the top spot in the points table.
Alice Capsey’s all-round show took Delhi to the final
UP got their first strike as Shafali got holed out at long on courtesy of a spectacular diving catch by Sophie Ecclestone. Delhi lost two more wickets in the run chase as Jemimah Rodrigues departed for just three while Lanning got dismissed for 39 off 23 balls.
Following the two quick wickets, Capsey came to the crease and continued her onslaught from the last game against Mumbai. She got involved in a crucial 60-run stand with Marizanne Kapp and took her team to the brink of victory. Capsey departed after scoring 34 off 31 balls, while Kapp finished the chase in the 18th over, scoring an unbeaten 34 off 31 as well.
As a result, Delhi won the match by five wickets and entered the final of WPL as they finished on the top of the points table. UP Warriorz will next face Mumbai Indians in the eliminator on March 24, which will decide the second finalist.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Deepti Sharma has been doing well for India in ODIs. Think after #WPL2023 , a call will definitely be taken on her T20 place #UPWvDC #WPL