The winning streak of Mumbai Indians has been halted at three, and it is Delhi Capitals who pause that ride. This time, however, unlike the tension-filled, haggard struggle to the finish line like in their last match, this time they demolished the target rather comfortably and assuredly. It was not just a win that brought them two points; it was a show of power, a reminder of the strength they hold and dare to wield in the crucial second half of the ongoing Women’s Premier League. For Mote Latest cricket Update; You can Visit Here
With the target to chase set as low as 124, it was certainly made out to be a cakewalk in the second half for Delhi Capitals. And seeing Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning, arguably the most feared duo in WPL history, choose not to play was ever so accommodating.
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While safeguarding a small target, the Mumbai Indians managed to pick up a wicket with Lanning’s retreating head, which was behind the window while Ismail was steaming in. In the run-chase, Lanning’s pads were struck in the first ball followed by some desperate reviewing from the Mumbai Indians who seemed to have lost the plot along the way. Ismail was trying to outwit the struggling DC captain with some decent pace, but she dealt with it very well, driving an overpitched ball for a boundary, before guiding the next one through slip and gully without any fielder in those positions for another boundary.
Dominant Delhi Capitals dismantle MI to rise to the top spot
At the other end, Shafali took command and dealt with Nat-Sciver Brunt’s short-pitch barrage, smashing her all around, the most productive of the overs yielding 16 runs off them. In a matter of overs, 57 runs were fetched in the powerplay, and the two’s early butchery had already sealed the game. But the assault was reserved for no one, not even Amelia Kerr who came in next with her legbreaks.
Seldom does there come a day when Ismail, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Kerr or Hayley Matthews do not have an impact in either batting or bowling. Friday evening’s competition, however, was a rare day for them, and for this, the Mumbai Indians put forth one of their most toothless performances, the sort of day nothing seemed to pan out – like what it was for Royal Challengers Bengaluru a day earlier. But for the inaugural champions, as off a day as it was, with not one performer standing out, it was as clinical a display from Delhi Capitals, on all counts.
Initially, the signals did not turn on early. Both Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews struck a boundary each within the initial four balls of the innings, while Marizanne Kapp was wanting when it came to her lengths. It was set in motion, but here came the riddle that has tormented a number of team coaches in the Bengaluru phase. How would one make sense of the conditions, the game plans, as well as figure out what is wrong?
As the game progressed, Shikha Pandey had no issues realizing her ideal lengths, just as it appeared that the Mumbai Indians would be able to capitalize on the early advantage. Shikha managed to claim a maiden wicket towards the end of the powerplay after Bhatia edged the bat, having provided a catch at the keeper’s end. The tag has aptly characterized her performance, which suggested that this moment sealed the games outcome more or less, which called forth the unwillingness of the Mumbai Indians to recover afterwards.
The MI batters, while aided by a poor showing from the Delhi bowlers during their middle and late game phases, did attempt to make some runs on a rather unhelpful pitch. There were only 6 hits to the boundary in addition to a single six, and in the period after the powerplay, boundaries were even fewer. With dot balls consumed, they managed to hit 55 runs and most of them were even in a negative zone. Although the score rate gilded below expectations, Kaur and Sciver-Brunt had almost set the stage in motion for a strong, late game, but both batters fell away in quick interval and the new players who made the crease did not find it any simpler to start.
Similar to how they performed with the bat and the ball, one of their better performances on the field was Annabel Sutherland’s forward diving catch, coming in from long on to get rid of Amelia Kerr. Such attempts to take missed chances were not paying off for DC in the last few matches.
In multiple aspects, DC needed to boost their confidence, which they have achieved with their most recent performance. After losing two games in a row, and managing to scrape through in the other two, Friday’s win not only relieved them, but sought to show that they had already seized the moment. The shifted appeal they have after the victory has put them in a favorable position to solidify their chances of qualifying for the playoffs, where they intend to secure their third title in a row. While Friday’s win has propelled them in the right direction, Friday’s encounter serves as a clear testament of display fo what is in store by the DC players. Their next clash is less than 20 hours away.
Jemimah Rodrigues admitted she wanted the victory really badly. “We are not playing our best cricket but are getting the wins. Winning is winning” she elaborated while speaking about the performance. “The catch by Annabel made my energy levels explode just like the stop by Minnu. Everything we spoke about came together.” For more Details, Click Here