Mumbai Indians extended their unbeaten streak to three wins after overpowering the Delhi Capitals in a decisive match-up on Thursday. With a brilliant combined effort from Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates, Mumbai proved unstoppable, claiming a lopsided eight-wicket victory that secured the top spot of the league’s tables effortlessly. Meanwhile, it was a bitter pill to swallow for Delhi as this marked their very first loss of the season. Despite being humbled, one can expect them to quickly rebuild and come back even stronger in future matches.
It was a truly impressive performance from the Mumbai bowlers, who led from the front to help clinch a win against Delhi. Pacer Issy Wong and spinners Saika Ishaque and Hayley Matthews all worked in tandem to reduce their opponents to 105 in just 18 overs, grabbing three wickets apiece in the process. This combination of both pace and spin is rarely seen, but it proved invaluable in subduing the star-studded Delhi batting line-up. Mumbai can certainly be proud of this momentous victory and look forward to using their bowling strength again in upcoming matches.
The chase for victory during the Women’s T20 Challenge was on as Yastika Bhatia and Matthews stepped up to the challenge for Mumbai. Pushing forward towards their small target, the opening duo pushed their way through with a powerful 65-run partnership to put Delhi out of contention. With only 15 overs to face, captain Harmanpreet Kaur (11 not out) along with Nat Sciver-Brunt (23 not out) led them across the finish line. An amazing opener performance by Yastika (41) and Matthews (32), knocking off 47 runs in the powerplay, was a remarkable feat that aided in claiming victory.
It was an impressive display of power and dominance at the crease as Yastika and Matthews stepped up to the plate to make their mark in the tournament. Yastika struck 8 fours throughout her innings, which was her highest score in the competition so far, while showing incredible control and placement during each stroke. Similarly, Matthews displayed patience and skill as she recorded 6 fours during her 31-ball stay – forming a powerful partnership with Yastika that made most of the bad deliveries sent their way. Without a doubt, it was undoubtedly one of the best displays of batting seen all tournament long!
After a cautious start, the partnership of Harmanpreet Kaur and Rachel Priest quickly shifted the momentum in Mumbai’s favor as they unleashed multiple fours to keep the team in complete control. Inevitably, Delhi vice-captain Jemimah Rodrigues stepped up with a brilliant catch running in from long off which ended Matthews’ stay – much to the delight of those watching on and bringing the hosts back into contention. However, Yastika Bhatia and Nat Sciver-Brunt had other ideas, their intense batting providing further impetus for Mumbai. As such, though Tara Norris provided much needed respite for Delhi in the ninth over with her pinning of Yastikah in front of wickets, it appears that Mumbai’s second consecutive nine-wicket win is well within reach.
The much-anticipated first meeting between Mumbai and Delhi, two of the League’s contenders for the title, was an anti-climax. Delhi, who had breezed through their previous two matches with an impressive display of fireworks batting and skilful execution, were totally outplayed this time. Meg Lanning was the highest scorer in her team’s meager innings, managing only 43 runs. Ishaque continued her fine form with some vital wickets while Wong and Matthews added valuable contributions to restrict the formidable Capitals to a total well below their usual standard. Mumbai’s immaculate field placing won the day and it was arguably one of the finest collective performance from any bowling unit in this season so far.
Ishaque, the left-arm spinner, was instrumental in Delhi’s failure to reach the target. With three scalps of Lanning, Verma and Rodrigues, her wicket tally now stands at nine in just three matches – the highest so far in this tournament. The only saving grace for Delhi came from their 4th wicket partnership between Lanning and Rodrigues which allowed them to post a respectable score but within 9 balls after that the batting unit found themselves crumbling down the order. Mumbai bowlers kept a tight line ensuring that most boundaries by Delhi were reduced to sixes or ones instead of fours as only six fours were struck in first 10 overs. Their innings only produced nine fours and one six overall. Ishaque’s stellar performance with ball yet again turned out to be a hero as she thwarted Delhi’s plans firmly denying them any chance of attaining success.
