A clinical display with both bat and ball saw Delhi defeat Uttar Pradesh by five wickets with 13 balls to spare in the final match of the Women’s T20 League group stage in Mumbai on Tuesday evening.
Having seen their rivals for the top spot in Mumbai win their final group game earlier in the day, Delhi took to the field knowing what they had to achieve. They won the toss, sent their opponents in to bat first, and had them on a tight leash from ball one. No batter was allowed to break the shackles and Uttar Pradesh reached 50 in the eighth over. It fell to Tahlia McGrath, who came in at number four, to give the innings some impetus.
She smashed eight fours and two sixes in her unbeaten 58 off 32 balls en route to claiming the Orange Cap as Uttar Pradesh posted 138/6 in their 20 overs. For Delhi, Alice Capsey starred with the ball, taking 3/26 in her four overs, with Radha Yadav backing her up with 2/28 in her quota.
Delhi began their chase in typically swashbuckling style, with Shafali Verma and skipper Meg Lanning going great guns from the first over. Despite losing Verma in the fifth over, the scoring rate did not drop as Delhi scored 67 in the first powerplay.
Lanning departed for a stylish 39, reclaiming the Orange Cap from her Australia teammate McGrath, but the Delhi middle order stood firm and saw their side through. Capsey contributed with the bat as well, stroking her way to 34 off 31 balls. She was ably supported by the experienced Marizanne Kapp, who remained not out on 34 and scored the winning runs.
With the win secured, Delhi now sails through to the final of the tournament, awaiting the winner of the Eliminator to be played between Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai on Friday. Both sides will fancy their chances of making the final, having shown themselves to be capable of beating anyone on their day.
Here’s a look at how fans reacted to Delhi’s win:
Greatest Franchise
— No One Knowz ? (@NoOne_Knowz) March 21, 2023
baap of MI
— #18 ~ 75 ? (@KOHLI166notout) March 21, 2023
BEST EVER TO PLAY IN THE LEAGUE
— . (@Sahilhere09) March 21, 2023
Better than Delhi capitals men's team
— harsh???? (@HARSH99OP) March 21, 2023
Imagine Delhi Capitals women team winning WPL before men team?
— Cricket Blike (@Cricket_blike) March 21, 2023
What a knock Tahlia Mcgrath ???????? #WPL #UPWvsDC
— Arun shyju (@linktoshyju) March 21, 2023
Had high expectations from Navgire, Sehrawat, Devika Vaidya & Deepti Sharma.
Disappointing show till today. ?#UPWvDC #UPWvsDC #WPL2023
— Shirish?? #MI4ever (@tipsy_spock) March 21, 2023
#DCvsUPW #UPWvsDC #WPL Hail queen Tahlia Mcgarth, only one showing intent today.
— Black Mamba (@blak_maba) March 21, 2023
Healy and others are unusually slow and seems deliberate soft dismissals. They have to play eliminator anyway. UPW by losing this match makes sure there is 50% chance of both finalists are Aus captained teams. Unlike the team that beat GG by chasing a high score.#UPWvsDC
— Sunil Menon ??? (@SMenonT) March 21, 2023
Which clown sent Simran at 3 ahead of Navgire and McGrath?
?#UPWvsDC#WPL2023— MS Faisal (@FaishHearts) March 21, 2023
