WPL: Shafali Verma, bowlers set up Delhi Capitals' 9-wicket win over UP Warriorz

Photo: BCCI, WPL

Shafali Verma's blazing innings of 64 not out from 43 balls played a pivotal role in Delhi Capitals' convincing nine-wicket triumph over UP Warriorz in the second edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Chasing a target of 120, Delhi Capitals reached the required total with ease, finishing the game in just 14.3 overs and securing their first win in the tournament.

Delhi Capitals had faced a narrow defeat in their opening game against defending champions Mumbai Indians. However, against UP Warriorz, the Capitals showcased their dominance, particularly due to Shafali Verma's aggressive innings, which included six fours and four sixes. Verma formed a formidable 119-run opening partnership with Delhi's skipper, Meg Lanning, who contributed 51 to the total.

The Capitals' bowlers had set the stage for their victory with a disciplined performance earlier in the match. Marizanne Kapp, with her incisive new-ball spell, dismissed the top three batters of UP Warriorz - Alyssa Healy, Dinesh Vrinda, and Tahlia McGrath - cheaply, leaving the opposition at 16/3. Kapp's figures at the end of her spell were an impressive 4-1-5-3.

Radha Yadav, introduced into the attack in the tenth over, continued to trouble UP Warriorz by taking crucial wickets. She accounted for the dismissal of Grace Harris and later tempted Kiran Navgire, ultimately securing a caught-and-bowled dismissal.

Despite wickets falling at regular intervals for UP Warriorz, Shweta Sehrawat, a standout performer for India in the inaugural women's U-19 World Cup, provided a glimpse of resistance. Her 45 runs off 42 balls included well-timed shots and cameos against the Delhi bowlers. However, Radha Yadav eventually outfoxed Sehrawat with a deceptive delivery, leading to a straightforward stumping by Taniya Bhatia.

In the end, Delhi Capitals comfortably chased down the target, showcasing a strong all-around performance to open their account in the Women’s Premier League. Meanwhile, UP Warriorz faced their second consecutive defeat in the five-team T20 competition.