Delhi Capitals crush Mumbai Indians by 9 wickets, emerge on top of WPL points table

MUMBAI: An all-round show from Delhi Capitals, marked by a top-notch spells from Marizanne Kapp and explosive knocks from Alice Capsey and Shafali Verma, helped them chase down the target of 110 runs in just nine overs to clinch a nine-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in Women’s Premier League (WPL) match at D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Monday.

With this win, DC are at the top of the points table with five wins and two losses in seven matches. They have a total of 10 points. Mumbai Indians have similar performance, but have been pushed down to the second spot due to lesser run rate.

Chasing 110 runs, Delhi Capitals were off to an aggressive start. Openers Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma attacked MI bowlers right from the first over. Shafali smashed Issy Wong for three fours in the second over, taking Delhi’s score to 22/0.

The fourth over was prolific for DC as its batters smashed Saika Ishaque for 17 runs, including a four by Lanning and two boundaries by Shafali. Delhi Capitals reached the 50-run mark in four overs.

Hayley Matthews took the first wicket for MI, dismissing Shafali for 33, which she had made of 15 balls. The knock consisted of six fours and a six. Shafali was stumped by Yastika Bhatia.

This brought Alice Capsey to the crease. At the end of the powerplay in six overs, DC were 67/1, with Lanning (29*) and Capsey (2*) unbeaten at the crease. Matthews was smashed for three sixes and a four by Capsey in the seventh over.

Delhi Capitals reached the 100-run mark in just 8.3 overs. Delhi finished their innings at 110/1 in nine overs. Lanning was unbeaten at 32 of 22 balls with four boundaries and a six. Capsey played an explosive knock of 38 in just 17 balls with one four and five sixes.

Earlier, a superb show by Delhi Capitals bowlers, particularly the pacers, helped them restrict Mumbai Indians to just 109/8 in their 20 overs.

After being put to bat first by Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians were off to a bad start. In the third over of the match, all-rounder Marizanne Kapp dismissed Yastika Bhatia (1) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (0). Yastika was caught by wicketkeeper Taniya Bhatia while Nat’s stumps were dislodged by the all-rounder. MI were reduced to 6/2 in 2.2 overs.

Though Kapp could not take a hattrick, DC continued to put pressure on MI batters. Shikha Pandey picked up her first wicket, sending alarm bells sounding for MI. In-form Hayley Matthews was caught by Jemimah Rodrigues at mid-on. Rodrigues took another stunning catch. MI were 10/3 in 3.3 overs. Arundhati Reddy also got among the wickets as she got the big wicket of Amelia Kerr for just eight, reducing MI to 21/4 in 6.5 overs.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar attempted to rebuild the inning. Kaur played the anchor role, allowing her partner to play with freedom. The duo smashed Poonam Yadav for 18 runs, including two fours and a six in the 10th over. At the end of 10 overs, MI were at 46/4, with Pooja (17*) and Harmanpreet (13*) unbeaten at the crease. MI crossed the 50-run mark in 10.3 overs.

MI’s attempts to revive their fortunes were disrupted once again. The 37-run stand between Kaur and Vastrakar was ended after Jess Jonassen dismissed Pooja for 26 off 19 balls after the batter was caught by Radha Yadav at long-off. Half of the MI lineup was inside the hut for 58 runs.

Shikha got the big wicket of Harmanpreet for 23 off 26 balls. With this, the table toppers sunk to 74/6 in 15 overs. Issy Wong and Amanjot Kaur had the task to help MI finish their innings on a high. MI crossed the 100-run mark in 18.1 overs.

Jonassen dismissed Wong for 23 off 24 balls after she was caught by skipper Meg Lanning at the cover. MI were 104/7 in 19.2 overs. The 30-run stand between the duo was over. MI finished their innings at a sub-par score of 109/8 after Amanjot Kaur was run out for 19 off 16 balls on the final ball of the innings.

Marizanne emerged as the pick of the bowlers for DC, taking 2/13 in her four overs. Shikha Pandey (2/21) and Jonassen (2/25) took two wickets each. Arundhati got one wicket.

Brief scores: MI: 109/8 (Pooja Vastrakar 26, Issy Wong 23, Marizanne Kapp 2/13) lost to DC: 110/1 in 9 overs (Alice Capsey 38*, Shafali Verma 33, Hayley Matthews 1/27). (ANI)