‘What striking’ – Netizens react as Delhi Capitals’ top-order batters go bonkers to post 223-2 in campaign opener

Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma. (Photo Source: WPL/Twitter)

The second match of the highly anticipated Women’s Premier League saw the Delhi Capitals post a mammoth total of 223 runs, the second-highest in a women’s T20 match, against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Much like the first innings of the tournament opener, Meg Lanning’s Delhi Capitals took full toll on the batting-friendly conditions on offer and some lacklustre bowling at the Brabourne Stadium.

Smriti Mandhana won the toss and surprised a fair few after electing to bowl first on a batting paradise in Mumbai. Meg Lanning and her young opening partner Shafali Verma needed no second invitation as both batters cut loose after the five-over mark in the match. The floodgates opened for the Delhi side when RCB’s final over of the powerplay went for 20 runs.

It was absolute carnage from both the openers as they raced towards their respective half-centuries. The explosive batting duo went on to add 162 runs in just 87 deliveries for the first wicket, smashing the RCB bowlers to all parts to the ground. Both batters were looking well set to breach the three-figure mark before Heather Knight dismissed both openers in the space of three deliveries.

Marizanne Kapp and Jemimah Rodrigues’ explosive partnership added the finishing gloss

The Bangalore-based outfit were looking to claw their way back into the game after the twin strikes off Knight’s 15th over, but there was no stopping the Delhi Capitals as veteran South African batter Marizanne Kapp continued the assault from her end. Kapp added 60 runs with Jemimah Rodrigues in just 31 deliveries as Delhi finished with a daunting total of 223 runs after their allocated 20 overs, the highest score in the tournament so far.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the carnage from the Delhi Capitals’ batters against RCB: