Kamal Ghorui
Delhi Capitals had to grind it out but eventually crossed the line, beating UP Warriorz by five wickets in a low-scoring contest to book their place in the Women’s Premier League Eliminator on Sunday. The victory, achieved with eight balls remaining, also ended the defending champions Mumbai Indians’ campaign, knocking them out of the playoff race.
Delhi, who have reached all three WPL finals so far without lifting the trophy, will now face an in-form Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium on Tuesday. The winner of that clash will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday. Chasing a modest target of 123, Delhi were well placed at 84 for one before a sudden slide saw them lose four wickets for 17 runs. They eventually finished on 126 for five in 18.4 overs. Captain Jemimah Rodrigues held her nerve at the end, finishing unbeaten on 34 off 18 balls with five boundaries, alongside Niki Prasad, who remained not out on four. At the top, Shafali Verma contributed a patient 29, while Laura Wolvaardt anchored the chase with a composed 47 off 36 deliveries, striking seven fours. The pair added 73 runs for the second wicket after Delhi lost Lizelle Lee early for 10. Despite the presence of quality spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma, UP Warriorz lacked runs to properly pressure Delhi. A brief wobble late in the chase raised hopes, but Jemimah’s back-to-back boundaries off Deepti in the penultimate over settled the contest. Earlier, Delhi’s bowlers laid the platform by restricting UP Warriorz to 122 for eight. Marizanne Kapp led the effort with figures of 3 for 30, while Chinelle Henry chipped in with 2 for 25. UP Warriorz endured a poor start, losing captain Meg Lanning on the first ball, and never found momentum. Kapp removed Deepti Sharma, Charli Knott and Deandra Dottin, while Henry dismissed Simran Shaikh just as she threatened to revive the innings. Deepti’s 24 and an unbeaten 23 from Shikha Pandey were the only notable contributions in an otherwise disjointed batting effort. Brief Scores: UP Warriorz 122/8 in 20 overs (Deepti Sharma 24, Shikha Pandey 23 not out; Chinelle Henry 2/25, Marizanne Kapp 3/30) lost to Delhi Capitals 126/5 in 18.4 overs (Shafali Verma 29, Laura Wolvaardt 47, Jemimah Rodrigues 34 not out; Deepti Sharma 2/27) by five wickets.
