The Women’s Premier League (WPL) kicked off with a bang today as the defending champions Mumbai Indians edged past Delhi Capitals in a thrilling encounter. Chasing a modest target of 172, Mumbai rode on crucial contributions from their middle order to secure a comfortable 4-wicket victory at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Delhi, put in to bat first, got off to a steady start but were pegged back by some tight bowling from the Mumbai attack. Caption Meg Lanning gave a decent start to Delhi Capitals by contributing 31 runs off 25 balls. Alice Capsey top-scored for the Capitals with a well-compiled 75 off 53 balls. She hit 8 fours and 3 sixes with a strike rate of 141.51, but wickets fell at regular intervals, restricting them to a below-par total. Jeminah Rodrigues from the Capitals also contributed well by scoring 42 runs off 24 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes and a strike rate of 175.00.
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In response, Mumbai’s innings got off to a shaky start, losing their opener cheaply. However, Yashika Bhatia showed a responsible batting performance and scored 57 runs off 45 balls which included 8 fours and 2 sixes and the ever-reliable Harmanpreet Kaur scored 55 runs off 34 balls which steadied the ship with a crucial partnership. Sanjeevan Sajana came out of nowhere and stole the show with 5 runs needed on the last ball and hit a sixer on the last ball making Mumbai Indians to win the game by 4 wickets.
Mumbai had to get 172 runs to win, so it was never going to be easy, and things got a little tricky when they lost the unbeaten Hayley Matthews for a duck in the opening over. Mumbai, however, has a team full of superstars. Although Yastika Bhatia and Natalie Sciver-Brunt did a good job of battling back, it was the former who had a fantastic half century. Before Yastika was removed, she and captain Harmanpreet Kaur shared a stand of 56 runs. Amelia Kerr then entered the game and contributed a valuable knock.
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But it was the captain who carried the match to the end and came dangerously close to winning it as well; at that point, Mumbai appeared to be out of the game. Sajeevan Sajana onto the field and scorched a maximum off the last ball to secure the victory and make the match unforgettable for her team.
The victory marks a significant moment for the WPL, showcasing the excitement and talent on display in the tournament’s second edition. With several more matches to come, the stage is set for an enthralling season of women’s cricket.
