09 March,2023 01:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Women`s Premier League (Pic Courtesy: wplt20.com)
The highly-anticipated match between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians promises to be a showcase of the best talent in women's cricket, as both teams will look to bring their A-game to the field when they take on each other in Women's Premier League 2023 on Thursday. One can expect an intense battle to unfold between the two formidable and undefeated opponents, as they vie for glory in what appears to be a crucial 20-over encounter.
Also Read: 'It's all about giving my best one ball at a time': Mumbai Indians' Saika Ishaque
Both Delhi and Mumbai had a remarkable start in the tournament. Mumbai Indians showcased their dominance in the opening game against Gujarat Giants and continued their winning spree with another victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore, while Delhi Capitals also registered comprehensive wins in both of their games against RCB and UP Warriorz.
Openers: Yastika Bhatia, Taniya Bhatia
Middle-order: Meg Lanning, Alice Capsey, Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Shafali Verma
Bowlers: Jess Jonassen, Saika Ishaque, Tara Norris
Delhi Capitals: Meg Lanning(c), Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Jemimah Rodrigues, Alice Capsey, Jess Jonassen, Taniya Bhatia(w), Arundhati Reddy, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Tara Norris, Laura Harris, Jasia Akhtar, Minnu Mani, Aparna Mondal, Poonam Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Sneha Deepthi
Mumbai Indians: Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia(w), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Issy Wong, Amanjot Kaur, Humaira Kazi, Jintimani Kalita, Saika Ishaque, Priyanka Bala, Neelam Bisht, Sonam Yadav, Dhara Gujjar, Heather Graham, Chloe Tryon
Delhi Capitals: Meg Lanning (c), Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Jemimah Rodrigues, Alice Capsey, Jess Jonassen, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Tara Norris
Mumbai Indians: Yastika Bhatia (wk), Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Issy Wong, Amanjot Kaur, Humaira Kazi, Jintimani Kalita, Saika Ishaque
Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai Indians are seated atop the points tally, thanks to a striking NRR with comprehensive wins in the two matches they played so far. Delhi Capitals, who are placed second in the table, will come off a major victory over UP Warriorz in their last game, winning by 42 runs. Riding on Jess Jonassen's brilliant all-round show and captain Meg Lanning's knock of 70, Capitals clinched a 42-run win over UP Warriorz in the ongoing WPL 2023 at DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday.
Delhi Capitals skipper Meg Lanning wins toss, elects to bat against Mumbai Indians.
Delhi Capitals: Meg Lanning(c), Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Jemimah Rodrigues, Alice Capsey, Jess Jonassen, Taniya Bhatia(w), Minnu Mani, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Tara Norris
Mumbai Indians: Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia(w), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Issy Wong, Amanjot Kaur, Humaira Kazi, Jintimani Kalita, Saika Ishaque
7:20 PM: 'We don't depend too much on the toss', says Harmanpreet Kaur
We don't really depend too much on the toss, but today we wanted to chase. We've done well in the last 2 games, the same XI for us. She's (Lanning) a very good player and leader, sharing the dressing room in India is a learning experience for everyone. The MI family made my day special, we just want to continue the way we started.
7:30 PM: Match begins!
Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning walk in to bat. Nat-Sciver Brunt opens bowling charts for Mumbai.
7:35 PM: 5/0 after 1 over
Lanning opens her account with a quick boundary to the sweep cover off Brunt.
7:35 PM: 8/1 after 3 overs
Saika Ishaque is handed the ball for the second over. The left-arm orthodox gets a breakthrough for her team, removes the formidable Shafali Verma.
7:47 PM: 27/2 after 6 overs
Kaur hands over the ball to Vastrakar. And it immediately pays off. Vastrakar then strikes and dismisses Capsey for just 6 runs. Mumbai Indians on top here.
7:55 PM: 31/3 in 6.3 overs
Issy Wong comes in, charges at once. Delhi lose Marizanne Kapp for only two runs.
8:01 PM: 51/3 after 9 overs
Delhi's star all-rounder Jemimah Rodrigues walks in to bat at number 3. She survived a scare but Mumbai only has Matthews to blame after she misses the catch at slips. Rodrigues rubs salt in their wounds, as she goes to slam three fours.
8:13 PM: 72/3 after 11 overs
Jemimah Rodrigues and Meg Lanning have stitched a 20-run stand so far but they need to go deep into the innings. DC need a move on with some fours and sixes.
8:17 PM: 81/4 in 12.2 overs
Out! Losing wickets at regular intervals has not helped Capitals one bit tonight. Rodrigues out, Jonassen in.
8:23 PM: 84/6 in 13.1 overs
Matthews strikes again and dismisses new batswoman Jonassen. Big wicket for Mumbai. Wrong choice of shot and she has been cleaned up. Capitals lose their sixth wicket.
8:26 PM: 84/7 in 13.4 overs
Delhi in trouble as Ishaque removes skipper Lanning too and puts an end to her half-century streak whilst ensuring her purple cap stays with her. Minnu Mani is clean-bowled by Yastika Bhatia at the stumps, Matthews won't stop so soon!
8:40 PM: 98/8 in 16.2 overs
Another one bites the dust. Short of only two runs for a century, Delhi loses Taniya who departs for 4 runs off 9 balls.
8:48 PM: Delhi 105 all out
Big appeal by Mumbai. Delhi all out at 105. Looks like Mumbai can pull it off at ease.
9:19 PM: 29/0 after 4 overs
Mumbai starts off on a decent note, Matthews and Bhatia walk in to bat. Meanwhile, Lanning brings Kapp back for the third over. Delhi is aiming for redemption with the ball after their poor showing with the bat.
9:31 PM: 59/0 after 7 overs
Bhatia is stealing the show here with her brilliant foot work. Even Matthews has been turned into a mere spectator as Bhatia continues to boss around with the bat in hand.
9:41 PM: 60/0 after 8 overs
The game is slowly slipping away from Delhi's grasp. The Yastika-Matthews pair have built up a partnership of 60 runs already and look comfortable at the crease.
9:44 PM: 65/1 after 9 overs
Delhi have their first breakthrough with set batswoman Yastika's wicket. Big wicket for Delhi as Bhatia had set in well and looked to finish off the game rather early tonight.
9:51 PM: 75/1 after 10 overs
Kaur brings in Nat-Sciver to bat at number 3. Mumbai rather has it easy here, they 75 after 10 overs and only 31 runs away from their third victory of the inaugural season.
9:58 PM: 89/2 after 13 overs
A brilliant catch from Jemimah has sent back Matthews back for 32. Yet, Mumbai is still on top. Delhi here need to ensure they keep the pressure intact on Mumbai.
10:05 PM: 101/2 in 14.2 overs
Mumbai looks on course for a win with many overs to spare.
10:06 PM: 109/2 after 15 overs, Mumbai beats Delhi by 8 wickets
Match finished with 5 overs to spare. Mumbai had it rather easy tonight, ticked all the boxes.
