'Lost almost everything in the Kerala floods' - Jemimah Rodrigues showers praises on S Sajana after last-ball heroics against DC

In a captivating showdown at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Mumbai Indians clinched a thrilling four-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League 2024 opener. Delhi’s vice-captain Jemimah Rodrigues lauded the heroics of Mumbai's S Sajana, whose extraordinary resilience and talent stole the spotlight. Sajana, a debutant, rose from the depths of adversity, having suffered significant losses in the Kerala floods. 

Her defining moment came when Mumbai required five runs off the final ball. With nerves of steel, Sajana unleashed a powerful six, and secured a memorable win for her team. Jemimah, in her tribute on social media platform ‘X’, emphasised Sajana's humble beginnings and unwavering determination. The match will be remembered as one for the ages, that has given WPL 2024 a head-start as the second season began. 

Also Read: Who is Sajeevan Sajana? - Everything you need to know about Mumbai Indians' last-ball hero

“The result was not what we hoped for but what a finish by Sajju the debutant! Comes from a humble background, lost almost everything in the Kerala floods, walks in when the team requires 1 ball 5 runs and hits an effortless six! What a story and more over what a player!," Jemimah wrote in her ‘X’ post. 

Mumbai Indians clinch thriller at Chinnaswamy

In pursuit of 171, Yastika Bhatia notched her fifty, only to fall prey to Arundhati Reddy's bowling, which marked Reddy's second scalp of the match. Harmanpreet Kaur and Amelia Kerr contributed 44 runs, but Shikha Pandey dismantled their partnership, dismissing Kerr for 24. As the innings approached its climax, MI required 22 runs off the final two overs. Harmanpreet smashed a towering six off the penultimate ball of the second last over to complete her fifty, reducing the equation to 12 runs off six deliveries. 

With pressure mounting, Capitals' skipper Meg Lanning entrusted Alice Capsey with the ball to close out the game. Capsey made an immediate impact and removed Pooja Vastrakar on the first delivery. Harmanpreet's boundary further whittled down the target to 5 runs off 2 balls but she was caught at long on by Annabel Sutherland with Mumbai Indians needing fivw off the last delivery. In a moment of sheer brilliance, debutant Sajana, facing her first delivery of the night, charged down the track and powered the ball over long on to seal a remarkable win four-wicket win for Mumbai Indians.