Harmanpreet Kaur chose to bat at the Kotla on a new central strip. Early on, Chamari Athapaththu made strides, dismissing both openers with a mere 17 runs scored. With a little quicker delivery that stayed low, Rajeshwari Gayakwad defeated Nat Sciver-Brunt (45,31b, 8×4).
The UP Warriorz, who were chasing 161 to win against the Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Thursday, were not at all blamed for whispering this under their breath during the entire chase and praying for a miracle when the top order faltered once more. Unfortunately, as UP Warriorz found out in a disappointing 42-run victory, Grace Harris can only save you so many times.
Harmanpreet Kaur chose to bat at the Kotla on a new central strip. Early on, Chamari Athapaththu made strides, dismissing both openers with a mere 17 runs scored. With a little quicker delivery that stayed low, Rajeshwari Gayakwad defeated Nat Sciver-Brunt (45, 31b, 8×4).
Although Harmanpreet (33, 30b, 3×4, 1×6) kept her company with caution, she soon suffered her first WPL scalp when she lost her off stump to a ripper from Saima Thakor. Amanjot Kaur was easily dismissed by Deepti Sharma, but MI managed to reach 160 thanks to a rapid 43-run partnership between S. Sajana and Amelia Kerr.
As anticipated, Shabnim Ismail exhaled fire, making Kiran Navgire and Alyssa Healy feel constricted at the crease. Kiran was sent back first by Saika Ishaque, who took advantage of her struggles to pick the ball’s line against her. Warriorz were left reeling when Ismail bowled Healy and Hayley Matthews both saw out Athapaththu.
Harris nervously played 14 deliveries without scoring, her heart pounding from the need to win that would up the stakes. She started her account with one of her two enormous sixes, but fell after a laborious 23-ball 15.
Although the Warriorz’s destiny was already decided long before the final ball was delivered, Deepti—who earned her first WPL fifty—might have hit a six off the penultimate ball, against none other than last-ball six hero Sajana.
