Jemimah Hails "Destructive" Lee-Verma Duo as DC Crush MI in WPL Clash

Poor powerplay batting by defending champions MI restricted them to just 154/5 in 20 overs. A fiery 63-run opening stand between Lizelle and Shafali and a fine half-century from Jemimah Rodrigues after a brief lean patch got DC their second win of the tournament, placing them at fourth spot in the points tally. MI's woes continue, as they have slipped to their third straight loss and overall fourth loss in the tournament, having won just two. It is their superior net run rate that is acting as a shield, keeping them at second place.

Speaking after the match in the post-match presser, Jemimah said, "With Lizelle and Shafali batting together, it is a destructive pair. The bowlers know they have to get it right, or else they will be punished. On this wicket, with the new ball, the way they batted in the powerplay set the tone. On this wicket, the ball comes on better when it's new and slows down later. Their big and positive partnership made things easier for us."

On continuing to bat at number four, Jemimah said that she wants to bat at number three, but as a captain, "she cannot think about herself, but needs to put the team first". She considers South African star Laura Wolvaardt the right fit for number three as she could get exposed to the new ball and time is much better, while Jemimah pointed to her own good game against spin and gap-finding ability at number four.

"To be honest, I wanted to bat at number three. But as a captain, I cannot think about myself; I need to put the team first," Rodriuges said. "When I thought it from the team's perspective, I felt Wolfie [Laura Wolvaardt] was better at No. 3. At number four, I am more versatile in playing the spinners well, and getting the gaps, getting going from the first ball. Wolfie has also opened for South Africa also, so I felt number three is more ideal when the ball's newer, and she can time it better. She is a great vice-captain, helping me out and I love to bat with her," she added.

She also spoke on Shafali Varma's bowling, who bowled a solitary over, conceding 14 runs in the match and has taken three wickets in this competition at an average of 21.66, with best figures of 2/16, saying that she is extremely confident about her bowling and takes the initiative to bowl when it is needed.

"Shifu (Shafali) is very confident in her bowling. Whenever the pressure is up, she always puts her hand up to bowl. I have been with her in domestic, she bowls for her state a lot. She bowled a lot during the Challenger Trophy, where I was leading her. She is really smart with mixing her pace and having her bowling so well," said Jemimah.

Lastly, bouncing back with two wins after a poor start to the tournament with three straight losses and just 40 runs in her four innings, Jemimah backed herself to get better as a leader with time.

"It is a new thing, you got to give it time, test some combinations and find what is right and what is not. Captaincy is not fixed; you cannot have a set plan. You have to be instinctive, which could or could not work at times. I am giving myself the space to make mistakes, but this is how you learn. The more I lead, the more I will get better," she concluded.

DC won the toss and elected to field first. After being reduced to 21/2 in 4.1 overs, MI were pulled out of the trouble by fine knocks from Nat Sciver-Brunt (65* in 45 balls, with six fours and two sixes) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (41 in 33 balls, with seven fours), who had a 78-run partnership for the third wicket. MI posted 154/5 in 20 overs, with spinner Shree Charani (3/33) was the top bowler for DC.

DC started off the chase with a strong 63-run stand between Shafali Verma (29 in 24 balls, with six fours), who became the fourth player to complete 1,000 WPL runs and Lizelle Lee (46 in 28 balls, with seven fours and a six). Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (51* in 37 balls, with five fours and a six) finally broke her run drought, winning the match for her team with seven wickets and an over left.

- ANI