Twitter Reactions: Opening duo and Tara Norris guide Delhi Capitals to spectacular win over Royal Challengers Bangalore

Delhi Capitals started their Women's Premier League 2023 campaign by a huge 60-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the second match on Sunday (March 5). Captain Meg Lanning and youngster Shafali Verma put together a 162-run stand for the opening wicket as the Capitals scored 223/2 while batting first.

Then USA pacer Tara Norris dazzled with the ball for Capitals and picked up a five-for to restrict Royal Challengers Bangalore to just 163 for the loss of eight wickets in their 20 overs. Norris won the Player of the Match for her bowling effort.

Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to bowl first at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium. But her decision backfired instantly with Lanning and Shafali pulling off a 100-plus stand for the opening wicket. Both batters played big shots all over the ground and took apart RCB's bowling attack to ensure a big total for Capitals.

England veteran Heather Knight gave RCB the much-needed breakthrough with Lanning's wicket in the 15th over. Lanning scored 72 off 43 with the help of 14 fours. Knight tried to balance the game for Royal Challengers with Shafali's wicket after two deliveries, who top-scored with 84 off just 45 with ten fours and three sixes.

But Marizanne Kapp and Jemimah Rodrigues carried the momentum and finished the innings on a high note with an unbeaten 60-run stand for the fourth wicket. Kapp smashed 39* off just 17 while Jemimah added 22* to ensure a big total for Capitals. Capitals surpassed Mumbai Indians' 207/5 total to register the second-highest score in women's T20 cricket.

Smriti and Sophie Devine provided a quick start to RCB's innings to avoid the pressure of chasing a mammoth total. Capsey gave Capitals an opening with Devine's wicket in the fifth over and further shocked RCB with Smriti's wicket in her next over. Smriti top-scored with 35 off 23 and Devine added 14 off 11.

Star Australian Ellyse Perry kept the RCB's hopes alive with an impressive knock of 31 off 19 with the help of five fours. But Norris removed Perry in the 11th over to kill the game for RCB. Norris took two more quick wickets of Richa Ghosh and Disha Kasat to put Capitals in a comfortable position to record a big win.

Knight and Megan Schutt tried to drag the game with a remarkable 54-run stand for the eighth wicket. But Norris provided another crucial breakthrough with Knight's wicket in the 18th over. Knight scored 34 off 21 and Schutt contributed unbeaten 30 off 19 as Royal Challengers Bangalore scored 163/8 in 20 overs. Tara Norris emerged as the most successful bowler for Capitals with five for 29 while Capsey took two valuable wickets while conceding just ten runs.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Delhi Capitals' big win over Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Mufaddal Vohra@mufaddal_vohra

Delhi Capitals scores a mammoth 223/2 against RCB. What a crazy batting display by Lanning, Shafali and at the end Jemimah and Kapp.

05:03 PM · Mar 05, 2023

2.1K106

Delhi Capitals@DelhiCapitals

Alexa, please play The Weeknd – Stargirl 🌟 Our 🇺🇸 pacer, Tara Norris is shining bright 😍 #YehHaiNayiDilli #CapitalsUniverse #TATAWPL #RCBvDC

06:17 PM · Mar 05, 2023

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Mohit Shah@mohit_shah17

First against Ireland & now vs RCB, twice Jemimah Rodrigues has now come out to bat in a very unfamiliar role and absolutely aced it All her hard work is paying off #T20WorldCup

05:08 PM · Mar 05, 2023

63

Johns.@CricCrazyJohns

Delhi Capitals beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 60 runs. Shafali, Lanning & Tara Norris are the stars for Delhi.

06:46 PM · Mar 05, 2023

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Ananya Upendran@a_upendran11

Meg Lanning asking Shafali Verma how many bat taps/ glove punches she’s comfortable with is the best thing to come from this #WPL already! #OnePlease #LesssssssGo #MasterShifu #MegTheMighty

03:28 PM · Mar 05, 2023

19723

Vinayakk@vinayakkm

WPL has been blessed with its first Ellyse Perry boundary boundary fielding moment of genius. scroll.in/field/1045074/…

04:17 PM · Mar 05, 2023

39428

Johns.@CricCrazyJohns

Five-wicket haul for Tara Norris, She from United States, What a moment in WPL. Delhi Capitals is the only team picked Associate player in the auction.

06:38 PM · Mar 05, 2023

2.4K165

Ayush Ranjan@AyushRaGenius

Smriti Mandhana Played a Small Cameo but this was treat to watch. Well Played a Fantastic Knock OF 35 runs in Just 23 Balls Including 5 Fours and 1 Six.

06:48 PM · Mar 05, 2023

41

Mohit Shah@mohit_shah17

Most captains would not go to Alice Capsey in the Powerplay with Sophie Devine at the crease She was obviously brought on as a match up against Smriti Mandhana, but this is brave captaincy again from Meg Lanning #WPL2023

05:40 PM · Mar 05, 2023

231

Yashvi.@BreatheKohli

From 96/7 to 150/8 and those 2 crucial wickets. Heather knight you truly are a queen , thank you for saving RCB from the embarrassment .❤️ #RCBvsDC

06:46 PM · Mar 05, 2023

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