WPL: Delhi Capitals qualify for knockout after defeating UP Warriorz (ANI) Delhi Capitals had to grind it out but eventually got over the line to beat UP Warriorz by five wickets in a low-scoring contest to book their place in the Women’s Premier League Eliminator on Sunday. The win, achieved with eight balls to spare, also ended the campaign of defending champions Mumbai Indians and knocked them out of the play-off race.
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Delhi, who have reached all three WPL finals so far without lifting the trophy, will now take on the well-prepared Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator on Tuesday at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium. The winner of this encounter will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday. Chasing a modest target of 123, Delhi were well placed at 84 for one before a sudden slip saw them lose four wickets for 17 runs. They ended up at 126 for five in 18.4 overs. Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues held her nerve at the end to finish unbeaten on 34 off 18 balls with five boundaries alongside Niki Prasad who remained not out on four. At the top, Shafali Verma contributed a patient 29, while Laura Wolvaardt anchored the chase with a composed 47 off 36 deliveries, hitting seven fours. The pair added 73 runs for the second wicket after Delhi lost Lizelle Lee early for 10. Despite the presence of quality spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma, UP Warriorz lacked the runs to put proper pressure on Delhi. A brief wobble late in the chase raised hopes, but Jemimaha’s back-to-back boundaries off Deepti in the penultimate over settled the match. Earlier, Delhi bowlers laid the platform by restricting UP Warriorz to 122 for eight. Marizanne Kapp led the effort with 3-for-30 figures, while Chinelle Henry chipped in with 2-for-25. The UP Warriorz endured a poor start, losing skipper Meg Lanning to the first ball and never finding momentum. Kapp removed Deepti Sharma, Charli Knott and Deandra Dottin, while Henry dismissed Simran Shaikh just as she threatened to revive the innings. Deepti’s 24 and Shikha Pandey’s unbeaten 23 were the only notable contributions in an otherwise disjointed batting. Brief scores: up warriorz 122/8 in 20 overs (Depti Sharma 24, Shikha Pandey 23 Not Out; Chinelle Henry 2/25, Marizane Kapp 3/30) Lost to Delhi Capitals 126/5 in Wolvardt 47, Jemimah Rodrigues Not; 34
