WPL 2024, Match 20: Delhi Capitals Women vs Gujarat Giants Women, 20th Match - Who Said What?

Delhi Capitals Women (DC-W) sealed their berth in the final of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 with a seven-wicket win over Gujarat Giants Women (GG-W) on Wednesday, March 13 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. After opting to bat first, Gujarat could only score 126/9 in their allotted 20 overs as Bharati Fulmali rescued their innings from 48/5. In reply, Delhi made a complete mockery of their total as Shafali Verma came out all guns blazing and helped her side chase down the target in 13.1 overs.

After a decent start by captain Meg Lanning (18 off 10) and Verma, DC lost two wickets in quick succession with their skipper and Alice Capsey (0 off 4) back in the pavilion. However, after two quick blows, Verma (71 off 37) and Jemimah Rodrigues (38* off 28) stabilized the innings with their massive 94-run partnership off 55 balls and helped their side chase down the target in 13.1 overs.

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Earlier in the day, after opting to bat first, Gujarat got off to the worst possible start as Marizanne Kapp shattered the stumps of their in-form captain Beth Mooney (0 off 5) in the first over itself. Jess Jonassen also gave no respite from the other end by dismissing the in-form batter Dayalan Hemalatha (4 off 7). Kapp returned in her third over to further get rid of Laura Wolvaardt (7 off 11) and sent shockwaves in the Gujarat camp with their team reeling on 16/3 after 4.2 overs. 

The matters got worse for them, as right-arm spinner Minnu Mani accounted for Ashleigh Gardner (12 off 12) and Phoebe Litchfield (21 off 22) to leave Gujarat on 48/5 after 10.2 overs. Seeing their side in trouble, Kathryn Bryce (28* off 22) and Bharati Fulmali (42 off 36) got involved in a crucial 68-run stand off 50 balls to help Gujarat finish their innings on 126/9 after 20 overs.

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Here’s what the two captains and the Player of the Match said after the game:

Losing Captain, Beth Mooney, Gujarat Giants, said;

We were outplayed in all facets. Didn't get a great start with the bat and then let the runs come quickly when we bowled. We do have some positives to take back, some individual performances which allowed us to be competitive at times during the tournament. We probably needed a bowler and an all-rounder, we lost Kashvee Gautam, Mannat showed what she could do, some batters like Laura came up well. She is a great kid, always has a smile on her face (on Shabnam Shakil), she has a great future and I'm not sure I'd like to face her in the nets. Disappointment (on her analysis of the season), might've to look for a next captain, it's been hard on me. We have got a great coach and an excellent management, we have a few pieces and will need to string them together much better in the next season.

Winning Captain, Meg Lanning, Delhi Capitals, said:

It wasn't as close as the earlier game, less stressful. (On Shafali) When she plays like that, she makes it look very easy. So much fun to watch her dominate like that. I think we've had good patches in all games, we know our plans and our execution is getting better. We've been excellent right from the start, despite losing that first game. T20 is always a close game, it will be a great semi-final and we'll be watching eagerly. Either of those two sides (RCB and MI), it will be a great contest, there are some great match winners in both sides.

Player of the Match, Shafali Verma, Delhi Capitals, said:

I have always thought of trying to play straight, today also that was the plan. Whenever the bowlers bowled well, I respected those deliveries. If anything was in my range, I would go for it. I backed my strengths and it worked today. Was in good touch today, wanted to stay till the end. Disappointed I couldn't end the innings today. I always try to do my best in fielding as well, stop as many runs as possible. That's been a crucial part of our management, to focus on our fielding and restrict teams to as few runs as possible.