In a thrilling encounter, Mumbai Indians Women emerged victorious against Delhi Capitals Women in the first match of the Women’s Premier League 2024. The match took place at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, with Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bowl.
Alice Capsey guides Delhi Capitals to a formidable total
Delhi Capitals Women had a solid start with Meg Lanning scoring 31 runs off 25 balls, including three fours and one six. However, Shafali Verma struggled, managing only one run off eight balls. Alice Capsey played a brilliant innings, smashing 75 runs off 53 balls, which included eight fours and three sixes. Jemimah Rodrigues also contributed with a quickfire 42 off 24 balls. In the end, Delhi Capitals Women posted a challenging total of 171/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Mumbai Indians Women bowlers put up a commendable performance, with Natalie Sciver and Amelia Kerr picking up two wickets each. Shabnim Ismail also chipped in with a wicket. However, the bowlers had a tough time containing the Delhi Capitals Women batters, conceding some crucial runs.
Harmanpreet Kaur shines with the bat
Chasing a target of 172 runs, Mumbai Indians Women got off to a shaky start as Hayley Matthews was dismissed for a duck. However, Yastika Bhatia steadied the innings with a well-constructed knock of 57 runs off 45 balls, which included eight fours and two sixes. Natalie and Harmanpreet Kaur also played important roles, scoring 19 and 55 runs respectively.
But it was S Sanjana who stole the show with her heroic last-ball six. With five runs needed off the final ball, Sanjana displayed nerves of steel and smashed a maximum, propelling Mumbai Indians Women to a thrilling four-wicket victory. Her unbeaten six runs off just one ball turned the game in Mumbai Indians’ favor.
Among the Delhi Capitals Women bowlers, Arundhati Reddy was the most successful, claiming two wickets. Marizanne Kapp and Shikha Pandey also picked up a wicket each, but their efforts weren’t enough to secure a win for their team.
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Here is how Twitter reacted:
𝙐𝙉𝘽𝙀𝙇𝙄𝙀𝙑𝘼𝘽𝙇𝙀!
5 off 1 needed and S Sajana seals the game with a MAXIMUM very first ball🤯💥
A final-over thriller in the very first game of #TATAWPL Season 1 🤩🔥
Scorecard 💻📱 https://t.co/GYk8lnVpA8#TATAWPL | #MIvDC pic.twitter.com/Lb6WUzeya0
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) February 23, 2024
𝙎𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙞 𝙣𝙖 💙#OneFamily #AaliRe #MumbaiIndians #TATAWPL #MIvDC pic.twitter.com/UEDrdxIYlE
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 23, 2024
What a finish to the #WPL2024 opener
5 NEEDED OFF THE FINAL BALL AND S SAJANA HITS A SIX TO WIN THE MATCH! 🤯#WPL2024 #MIvDC #WPLT20
Scorecard: #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/G4ek7K6Iuc— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) February 23, 2024
Wow, what a finish! The #TataWPL has delivered big time in the first game. The stars took it close but with a 6 needed off the last ball, Sajana Sajeevan pops up and clears long-on for @mipaltan! Made it look easy. #MIvsDC
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 23, 2024
SAJANA, YOU ROCKSTAR FOR MUMBAI 🤯
– 5 runs needed in the last ball & she hit an incredible six…..!!!!pic.twitter.com/u3gkp4ob5E
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 23, 2024
Blockbuster Bengaluru delivers again 🎬
Nerves of steel, Sajana 👏
What a brilliant start to Season 2️⃣ 🤩#PlayBold #SheIsBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #WPL2024 #MIvDC
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 23, 2024
Sajeevan Sanjana becomes the FIRST ever woman to hit a first-ball six to win a T20 chase on final ball.
5 to win in 1
Sanjana just comes to crease
Sanjana hits a SIX!Extra point: It is also Sanjana’s first ball in WPL career.#WPL2024 #MIvDC pic.twitter.com/P8GRHWt1kS
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) February 23, 2024
Sajana no way Sajana.
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) February 23, 2024
Mumbai Indians needed 5 in 1 ball and Sajeevan Sanjana smashed a six.
MI continues their unbeaten streak while chasing in the WPL. pic.twitter.com/YMdjW947nv
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 23, 2024
Mumbai Indians being Mumbai Indians 💙💥
When 5 runs need in Last ball
S Sanjana finished with Six 💥MI While Chasing in WPL
W W W W W W*#WPL2024 pic.twitter.com/HG7iznIEaQ— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) February 23, 2024
Last Ball Six by Sanjana..🔥#TATAWPL | #MIvDC pic.twitter.com/HRPfOHBghI
— 𝙑𝙄𝘾𝙏𝙊𝙍 (@itz_me_victor) February 23, 2024
Mumbai Indians being Mumbai Indians 💙💥
When 5 runs need in Last ball
S Sanjana finished with Six 💥MI While Chasing in WPL
W W W W W W*#WPL2024 pic.twitter.com/1GKRS6mZIp— Priyanka (@Pinky209E) February 23, 2024
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.