Read: Delhi Capitals reach final after win over Gujarat Giants
On Wednesday (Mar. 13), Delhi Capitals (DC) secured their place in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) final by defeating Gujarat Giants (GG) with a seven-wicket victory. With 12 points in hand, DC topped the standings at the end of the league round, ensuring their spot in the championship game on Sunday. The Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians will clash in the playoffs on Friday, with the winner facing DC in the summit match.
DC’s pursuit of the target of 127 was smooth sailing, with captain Meg Lanning leading the charge by quickly scoring boundaries during the powerplay. However, Lanning was run out, and Alice Capsey was dismissed for a duck in the same over. Meanwhile, Shafali Verma continued her attacking play, forming a strong partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues, ultimately securing the win with more than six overs remaining.
Earlier in the innings, GG posted a respectable score, thanks to a 68-run partnership between Kathryn Bryce (28*) and Bharati Fulmali (42*). Delhi’s bowlers, led by Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen, put GG on the back foot early on, restricting them to 23/3 at the end of the powerplay. DC’s bowlers continued to dominate, claiming crucial wickets, including those of Laura Wolvaardt, Ashleigh Gardner, and Minnu Mani. Despite resistance from Fulmali and Bryce, Shikha Pandey dealt GG two crucial blows in the 19th over, removing Tanuja Kanwar and Fulmali.
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In the final over, GG faced setbacks as Shabnam Shakil and Meghna Singh were run out. Bryce, who played a significant role in GG’s total of 126/9, remained unbeaten, guiding the team to 10 runs in the last over and ending GG’s innings with a boundary.
In summary:
Gujarat Giants scored 126/9 (with Bharati Fulmali contributing 42 and Kathryn Bryce 28*) against Delhi Capitals, who chased down the target with 129/3 (led by Shafali Verma’s 71 and Jemimah Rodrigues’ 38*), with Tanuja Kanwar taking 2-20 for GG.
The Mumbai Indians vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore winner will face the Capitals in Sunday’s championship:
In the upcoming championship game on Sunday, the Mumbai Indians or Royal Challengers Bangalore, who emerge victorious from the eliminator, will go head-to-head against the Capitals. Shafali’s explosive batting display played a pivotal role in the Capitals’ comprehensive victory, as she hammered five sixes and seven fours to effortlessly chase down the target of 127 runs. The Capitals sealed the win with a whopping 41 balls to spare, showcasing their dominance in the match.
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Shafali’s remarkable innings saw her reaching the fifty-run mark in just 28 balls, showcasing her aggressive approach and ability to take on the opposition bowlers. Alongside Jemimah Rodrigues, she formed a formidable partnership, putting the Gujarat Giants bowlers under immense pressure.
The early strikes by Marizanne Kapp, who claimed crucial wickets, set the tone for the Delhi Capitals‘ bowling attack. Their disciplined efforts restricted the Gujarat Giants to a precarious position of 16/3 early in the innings. Despite the Giants’ middle-order resistance, led by Kathryn Bryce and Bharati Fulmali, they managed to post a competitive total of 120 runs, providing their bowlers with a target to defend.
