The Jemimah Rodrigues-led Delhi Capitals on Tuesday chased down a record score to qualify for their fourth consecutive Women’s Premier League final, as they pulled off a brilliant run chase against the Gujarat
Giants, who looked comfortable at the innings break with a respectable score.
After opting to bowl, the Delhi Capitals Women bowlers held Gujarat Giants Women to 168/7 before Shafali Verma (31 off 21) and Lizelle Lee (43 off 24) set up the chase with a rapid 89-run opening partnership, permitting Delhi to overhaul the target well before the death overs.
Chasing the target, DC were off to a flying start as Verma and Lee went on the offensive, making full use of the field restrictions. The duo hammered 15 fours and a six to race to 89/0, threatening to make a mockery of the chase.
Before Tuesday, the highest target chased in the Women’s Premier League playoffs was a paltry 132 by the Mumbai Indians against Delhi in the final of the inaugural edition in 2023.
But just when the two big-hitters looked all set to bat GG out of the contest, leg-spinner Georgia Wareham (2/28) engineered a brief fight-back, dismissing both openers in the same over.
However, the setback did little to halt DC’s momentum, as Laura Wolvaardt (32* not out) and Jemimah (41) batted with composure and class through the middle overs.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s innings marked the first time in Women’s Premier League history that each of the top four batters scored 30 or more in a single innings.
With the pressure off the scoreboard, Laura and Jemimah took their time to settle in before opening up, striking fours with ease to put the chase back on track.
Meanwhile, all five of Delhi’s wins this season have come while chasing a target.
Veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp smacked the winning runs for the Capitals, who will take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final on Thursday.
