WPL 2024: Shafali Verma and bowlers lead Delhi Capitals a 9-wicket win over UP Warriorz

A scorching fifty by Shafali Verma 64* helped Delhi Capitals beat a target of 120 and open their account in the second season of the Women's Premier League (WPL).

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The Capitals swiftly achieved their target against the UP Warriorz at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, needing only 14.3 overs with nine wickets in hand. This victory came after their narrow loss to the Mumbai Indians in the tournament opener. Meanwhile, the Warriorz continued their struggle, losing both of their matches in the T20 competition so far. The opening pair of Verma and Lanning orchestrated a commanding start for the Capitals, amassing a 119-run partnership with Verma striking six fours and four sixes. Their proficiency in finding the gaps contrasted starkly with the Warriorz’s batting performance, as they managed a modest 119/9 after being put in to bat.

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The Capitals owed much of their disciplined bowling effort to Marizanne Kapp’s incisive spell with the new ball and Radha Yadav’s skillful left-arm spin. Kapp provided the initial breakthroughs, dismissing Alyssa Healy, Dinesh Vrinda, and Tahlia McGrath early on, leaving the Warriorz reeling at 16/3. She maintained her effectiveness throughout her quota of overs, ending with impressive figures of 4-1-5-3. Despite Kapp’s impact, the Warriorz failed to build momentum, and Radha Yadav further compounded their woes with her timely strikes. She removed Grace Harris and Kiran Navgire, showcasing her ability to deceive batters with flight and guile.

Although wickets kept tumbling for the Warriorz, Shweta Sehrawat, a standout performer for India in the recent women’s U-19 World Cup, provided a semblance of resistance. Initially slow to start, Sehrawat accelerated her innings, particularly targeting seamer Shikha Pandey and spinner Minnu Mani for boundaries. Her aggressive approach yielded fruitful results, including a flurry of boundaries against Australian pacer Annabel Sutherland. However, it was Yadav who eventually outwitted Sehrawat, inducing a mistimed shot that resulted in a straightforward stumping by Taniya Bhatia.

Overall, the Capitals’ comprehensive victory was a testament to their all-round performance, with Verma and Lanning setting the tone with the bat, Kapp and Yadav making crucial breakthroughs with the ball, and the team displaying sharp fielding skills to back up their bowlers. On the other hand, the Warriorz struggled to find their footing, both with the bat and in the field, highlighting areas for improvement in their upcoming matches in the tournament.

The post WPL 2024: Shafali Verma and bowlers lead Delhi Capitals a 9-wicket win over UP Warriorz appeared first on Cricket Country.