Mumbai Indians begin WPL title defence with thrilling victory against Delhi Capitals

Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika Bhatia slammed fifties before Sajana Sajeevan got her team over the line with a six as Mumbai Indians began their title defence with a thrilling victory over the Delhi Capitals in the opening match of Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 on Friday

MI skipper Harmanpreet (55 off 34) and wicketkeeper-batter Yastika (57 off 45) set things up nicely for the defending champions in their chase of the 172-run target with fine half-centuries in Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

However, it was only thanks to Sajana thumping the final delivery of the innings — the only one she faced all evening — for a maximum off Alice Capsey’s bowling that Mumbai ended up defeating Delhi by four wickets. It was MI’s second successive chase against the Meg Lanning-led DC, having defeated them by seven wickets in last year’s final.

The 19-year-old Capsey’s power-packed 75 (53b, 8x4, 3x6) was a perfect vindication of her future star as she guided Delhi Capitals to 171 for five, setting a tall barrier in front of Mumbai.

But the Mumbai outfit stayed in the match through fine efforts by Yastika and captain Harmanpreet.

Despite their concerted efforts, Mumbai still needed 12 runs off the last over bowled by off-spinner Capsey, who ousted Harmanpreet and Pooja Vastrakar in the first and fifth balls of the 20th over as Mumbai were left to make five runs off the last ball.

But Sajana slammed the only ball she faced over the long-on fence to spark wild celebrations in the Mumbai camp.

Naino mein sapna. Sapnon mein Sajana. 🥹🔥

(Admit it, you sang it!) #OneFamily #AaliRe #MumbaiIndians #TATAWPL #MIvDC

pic.twitter.com/UV4y8I4KZr

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 23, 2024

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But Mumbai began their target hunting on a disastrous note, losing Hayley Matthews in the second ball of the first over itself — a loose drive outside off-stump off pacer Marizanne Kapp ended in the hands of stumper Taniya Bhatia.

But Mumbai kept moving forward through two successive fifty stands involving Yastika, whose harsh treatment of veteran pacer Shikha Pandey (4, 4, 6) made for grand viewing.

The aggressive left-hander first added an even fifty (35 balls) for the second wicket with Nat Sciver-Brunt (19) and followed it up with a 56-run alliance with Harmanpreet in 7.1 overs for the third wicket.

Yastika reached her fifty in 35 balls with a six over long-on off left-arm spinner Radha Yadav but she did not last long as a pull off pacer Arundhati Reddy was snaffled by Kapp at deep mid-wicket.

However, Harmanpreet, who was dropped on five by Minnu Mani at mid-wicket off Arundhati, added 44 runs for the fourth wicket in 28 balls as Mumbai stayed afloat.

Earlier, Capsey joined her skipper Lanning (31, 25b, 3x4, 1x6) after opener Shafali Verma was castled early by veteran pacer Shabnim Ismail.

Capsey and Lanning mustered 64 runs in just over eight overs after making a steady start. Delhi were 26 for 1 after the six Power Play overs.

But Capsey started the blitz, bunting experienced English pacer Nat Sciver-Brunt for two successive pulled fours through mid-wicket.

Lanning hammered the first six of the match and tournament when she lofted leg-spinner S Keerthana over long-on. But Sciver-Brunt broke the burgeoning alliance when she ousted Lanning.

But Capsey remained relentless in the company of her vice-captain Jemimah Rodrigues (42, 24, 5x4, 2x6), and together they added 73 runs for an entertaining third wicket partnership in 7.3 overs.

She was particularly ruthless against New Zealand leg-spinner Amelia Kerr, whom she slammed for a couple of fours.

However, Kerr had the last laugh when she trapped Capsey leg before but the Capitals were already in a position of strength. However, it was not just enough on the night.

With PTI inputs