Delhi Capitals showcased an all-encompassing performance to convincingly defeat former champions Mumbai Indians by nine wickets, ascending to the top of the Women’s Premier League table on Friday. After electing to field, DC effectively restricted the inaugural edition’s winner, MI, to 123 for nine, highlighted by Jess Jonassen’s exceptional bowling. Jonassen claimed impressive figures of 3 for 25 in her four overs, dismantling MI’s batting lineup by taking the crucial wickets of the in-form Nat Sciver-Brunt, captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and G Kamalini. In pursuit of the modest target, captain Meg Lanning (60 not out from 49 balls) and Shafali Verma (43 from 28 balls) forged a formidable 85-run partnership from just 59 balls, providing DC with an outstanding start.
Shafali was in excellent form but was dismissed while attempting to hit right-arm pacer Amanjot Kaur over deep midwicket. She couldn’t achieve the required elevation, resulting in a simple catch for Amelia Kerr near the boundary.
However, by that point, Shafali and Lanning had essentially secured the match in DC’s favor with their aggressive batting.
Shafali’s 28-ball innings included four boundaries and two sixes.
Lanning, who had been seeking form, finally delivered with a classy unbeaten innings adorned with nine boundaries.
Jemimah Rodrigues remained unbeaten on 15 from 10 balls as DC chased down the target with 33 balls remaining.
Earlier, after choosing to bat, MI had a reasonable start before quickly losing their openers Yastika Bhatia (11) and Hayley Matthews (22) in succession.
In-form Sciver-Brunt continued her strong performance and, alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur (18), added 38 runs for the third wicket before Kaur was dismissed LBW by Jonassen in the 11th over.
Sciver-Brunt then offered a straightforward return catch to Jonassen and was dismissed in the 14th over.
Sajeevan Sajana then further hampered her team’s cause, lofting an easy catch to DC captain Meg Lanning at extra cover off Minnu Mani’s bowling while attempting an extravagant shot over the leg side.
Wickets tumbled as G Kamalini also failed to rescue her side, being bowled by Jonassen in the 18th over, leaving MI struggling at 104 for 7 in 17.5 overs.
Towards the end, MI struggled due to the lack of set batters, but they managed to surpass the 120-run mark without being bowled out.
This victory propelled DC to the top of the WPL standings with eight points from six matches, while MI slipped to the second spot with six points from five games.
DC’s next match is against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday, while MI will face UP Warriorz on March 6 in Lucknow.
