In the second game of the Women’s Premier League, Vadodara witnessed a nail-biting finish as Delhi Capitals clinched the game against Mumbai Indians on the last delivery of the match. A desperate dive from Arundhati Reddy secured the winning runs in dramatic fashion, leaving MI on the losing side despite a brilliant effort from Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Delhi were chasing a challenging total of 165 and Shafali Verma provided the early fireworks by smashing 43 off 18 balls. However, MI put the pressure back on DC as Meg Lanning (15), Jemimah Rodrigues (2) and Annabel Sutherland (14) fell cheaply. Despite the loss of wickets, Alice Capsey and Niki Prasad kept DC in the hunt before a tense final over saw Reddy dive home for victory. Prasad scored 35 (33) while Capsey supported her with a knock of 16(18). They stitched a partnership of 33 (36) that ultimately defined the game.
With 10 needed off the final over, Sajeevan Sajana almost defended it for MI. With two required off the last ball, Reddy’s dive ensured Delhi crossed the line, sealing a thrilling last-gasp victory. Statistics say that a team has successfully chased down a target on the final ball of the game only twice in WPL history — the first was in the opening game of the second season when MI won against DC.
Looking back on the first innings, MI were bowled out for 164 after a dramatic collapse with Sciver-Brunt’s 59-ball 80 being the only highlight of the innings. Shikha Pandey did the initial damage as she removed Hayley Mathews and Yastika Bhatia in quick succession.
The English all–rounder anchored the innings to the best of her ability but did not find support from the other end — except for Harmanpreet Kaur. The MI captain helped rebuild the innings with Sciver-Brunt. She made 42 off 22 balls. The two shared an aggressive partnership of 73 (40) that helped save the innings.
Following the skipper’s dismissal, wickets fell in regular intervals. Amelia Kerr was involved in an unlucky run out, while Sutherland got the wickets of both Sajana and Amanjot Kaur. Sutherland led the attack with three wickets, while Pandey’s early and late breakthroughs kept MI in check. Capsey and Minnu Mani contributed a wicket each, helping DC tighten their grip on the game.