Vadodara: The Delhi Capitals secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over the UP Warriors in the sixth match of the third season of the Women’s Premier League at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. This win marks Delhi’s second victory in the tournament, elevating them to second place in the points table with a net run rate of -0.544.
UP Warriors’ Competitive Start
Batting first, the UP Warriors posted a total of 166/7 in 20 overs. The team got off to an explosive start with openers Kiran Navgire and Vrinda Dinesh putting together a 66-run partnership for the first wicket. Navgire was the standout performer for UP, scoring a blistering 51 runs off 27 balls, including six fours and three sixes. However, the momentum shifted after her dismissal at 73/2.
Following the fall of Navgire and Dinesh (16 off 15 balls), the UP middle order struggled to build significant partnerships. Tahlia McGrath (1) and Deepti Sharma (7) departed quickly, while Shweta Sehrawat (37 off 33 balls) and Grace Harris (12) attempted to stabilize the innings with a 36-run partnership. In the later stages, Chinelle Henry played an aggressive knock, remaining unbeaten at 33 off 15 balls. For Delhi Capitals, Annabel Sutherland was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2 wickets for 26 runs in four overs, while Marijn Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Arundhati Reddy, and Minnu Mani chipped in with a wicket each.
Delhi’s Strong Chase
Chasing 167, the Delhi Capitals’ openers set the tone early. Captain Meg Lanning played a match-winning knock, scoring 69 off 49 balls, forming a crucial 65-run partnership with Shefali Verma (16 off 16 balls) for the first wicket. However, UP Warriors fought back as Deepti Sharma dismissed Shefali in the seventh over, followed by Rajeshwari Gaikwad sending Jemima Rodrigues back without scoring.
Despite the minor setbacks, Annabel Sutherland and Marijn Kapp ensured a steady chase. With 32 runs needed in the last three overs, Kapp hit two consecutive boundaries off Sophie Ecclestone, bringing the equation down to 11 runs in the final over. Sutherland, displaying exceptional composure, smashed two fours off Tahlia McGrath to seal the victory for Delhi with one ball to spare.
Key Highlights:
- Meg Lanning’s Captain’s Knock: 69 runs off 49 balls
- Annabel Sutherland’s All-Round Show: 2 wickets and match-winning runs
- UP Warriors’ Strong Start: Kiran Navgire’s 51 off 27 balls
- Delhi Capitals Move to Second Place: 2 wins in 3 matches
With this victory, Delhi Capitals now hold four points in the tournament standings, while UP Warriors continue their search for their first win. The tournament remains wide open as teams battle for a place in the playoffs.
As of February 20, 2025, the UP Warriorz have faced challenges in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 season, currently standing without a win after two matches.
In their opening match on February 16, the Warriorz posted a total of 143/9 against the Gujarat Giants. Despite a valiant 39-run effort from captain Deepti Sharma, the team fell short as the Giants successfully chased down the target with six wickets in hand and 12 balls to spare. Notably, Priya Mishra’s impressive bowling for the Giants, where she took three crucial wickets, played a significant role in restricting the Warriorz’s batting lineup.
In their subsequent match on February 19 against the Delhi Capitals, the Warriorz set a competitive target of 166/7, highlighted by Kiran Navgire’s rapid 51 off 27 balls and Shweta Sehrawat’s steady 37. However, the Capitals managed to chase down the total, securing a seven-wicket victory with one ball remaining. The match was closely contested, but fielding lapses in the final over, including missed boundary stops, cost the Warriorz dearly.
The Warriorz are aiming to regroup and secure their first win in the upcoming matches of the WPL 2025 season.
