MAXIMUM CITY
Mumbai wins inaugural WPL beating Delhi by seven wickets in final
MUMBAI: Mumbai Indians held its nerve to prevail over Delhi Capitals in a last-over thriller to win the inaugural Women’s Premier League at the Brabourne Stadium here on Sunday.
Set to chase 132, Mumbai seemed well on course until it lost its skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to a run-out for 37 (39b, 5x4) with the score on 95 in the 17th over. But Mumbai found its saviour in Nat Sciver-Brunt who struck an unbeaten 60 (55b, 7x4) to steer her side to triumph. Brunt and Harmanpreet added strung together a valuable partnership after their side lost two early wickets with the score reading 23 for two in the fourth over.
Earlier, Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadav shared a 52-run partnership for the 10th wicket to lift Delhi Capitals to a competitive 131 for nine.
Delhi Capitals was off to a rocky start, collapsing from 74 for 4 in the 11th over to 79 for 9 after 16, thanks to devastating show from overseas bowlers Hayley Matthews (4-2-5-3), Isabelle Wong (4-0-42-3) and Amelia Kerr (4-0-18-2).
However, the 52-run stand between Shikha (27 not out from 17 balls) and Radha Yadav (27 not out from 12 balls) took it across the 100-mark and gave it a fighting chance.
Shikha hit three fours and one six in her knock, Radha smashed two boundaries and as many maximums.
Matthews, Wong and Kerr had shared a total eight wickets between them to put Mumbai in a strong position.
While the Caribbean all-rounder Matthews took her wickets tally to 16 — highest in the tournament alongside UP Warriorz’ Sophie Ecclestone — Wong and Kerr also finished at 15 wickets each.
Saika Ishaque failed to get any breakthrough and ended up with an impressive 15 wickets too.
In front of a partisan crowd that filled up the Brabourne Stadium to the brim, the final was off to a dramatic start with MI claiming the first three wickets off full-tosses from Wong.
The first two decisions were ruled against the batters by the third umpire.
Shafali Verma (11 off 4 balls, 1x4s, 1x6s) began with a six over long-on and a four on the next ball in the second over from Wong, sliced over backward point to beat the third man.
However, the Delhi dasher was caught at point by Kerr off a full toss from the English bowler which was waist high.
BRIEF SCORES: Delhi Capitals 131/9 in 20 overs (I Wong 3/42, H Matthews 3/5) lost to Mumbai Indians 134/3 in 19.3 overs (NS Brunt 60*)