Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
Ishaque spins a web again as MI thump DC
NAVI MUMBAI: Left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque delivered another game-changing performance as Mumbai Indians (MI) bagged a resounding eight-wicket win against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) on Thursday.
Heading into the encounter, both teams had won their first two games and were separated by just net run-rate at the top of the table. It was expected to be a close battle, but Harmanpreet Kaur and Co stamped their authority with a clinical performance at DY Patil Stadium.
Delhi captain Meg Lanning won the toss and opted to bat first but precious little went her team’s way. Mumbai bowled them out for just 105 runs in 18 overs, before openers Yastika Bhatia (41 off 32) and Hayley Matthews (32 off 31) helped MI finish off the chase in 15 overs.
Ishaque, wearing the Purple cap, bagged three more wickets to take her tally to nine so far in the tournament. The left-arm spinner put DC on the back foot in the second over by cleaning up Shafali Verma, who would be disappointed after playing across and missing a straight delivery. The right-hander had started the tournament with a blazing 84 against Royal Challengers Bangalore but has followed that up with two low scores.
Alice Capsey and Marizanne Kapp didn’t last long before Delhi had what would prove to be their best phase of the match. Lanning and Jemimah Rodrigues added a 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket but Mumbai came roaring back with another superb over by Ishaque.
Rodrigues (25 off 18) was clean bowled by a delivery that skid through and four balls later, Lanning (43 off 41) drove one straight to Harmanpreet at cover. Delhi lost seven wickets for 24 runs as Mumbai’s bowlers delivered the goods with incredible discipline.
Ishaque returned with figures of 3/13 from three overs, with Issy Wong and Matthews also picking three wickets apiece.
Yastika produced some sparkling strokeplay and struck eight boundaries in her knock to ensure Delhi never got a look in. The Mumbai openers provided a 65-run partnership for the first wicket, before Natalie SciverBrunt (23* off 19) and Harmanpreet (11* off 8) saw the chase through.
Their victory left MI as the only undefeated side in the tournament, two points clear at the top of the table. Apart from Ishaque’s rise, West Indies allrounder Matthews’ contributions with both bat and ball are a major plus for the team.
105 in 18 overs (Meg Lanning 43; Saika Ishaque 3/13, Hayley Matthews 3/19) lost to 109/2 in 15 overs (Yastika Bhatia 41, Hayley Matthews 32) by 8 wickets.