Delhi Capitals' Fighting Spirit Makes Them WPL Playoff Threat, Says Anjum Chopra

Indeed, Delhi Capitals made it count when needed the most, with knocks from Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah leading a tight run-chase of 126 runs, completed with eight balls and five wickets in hand. After starting the season with two losses, they got a win against UP Warriorz in their third, but sunk further due to a loss to RCB. Two more wins over the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the RCB brought some life back in DC's campaign, leaving them with three wins and three loss before GG condemned them to a three-run loss. However, DC made up for this bitter, heartbreaking loss at the right time. They needed just a win to take the second eliminator spot, and Wolvaardt and Jemimah made sure DC got this all-important win, making it DC's fourth-playoff appearance in four editions. A win at the eliminator could help DC reach its fourth final in four seasons, but that would become clear on Tuesday.

Speaking on 'Match Centre Live', JioStar expert Anjum highlighted how DC "came to the party late, but at the right time".

"It was a clinical performance against Meg Lanning's UP Warriorz. We said before the match that the Delhi Capitals are the better team, and that was clear on paper and in their play. They outplayed UP Warriorz in all three areas. Yes, they lost early wickets as Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee failed again, but that is part of the game. In the end, the Delhi Capitals won and have reached the playoffs for the fourth season in a row in WPL history. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Giants need to be wary of this strong Delhi side led by the fighting spirit of Jemimah Rodrigues," said Anjum.

Anjum said that while UP Warriorz had a multi-time World Cup-winning Australian captain, Meg Lanning as their captain, but they had "many gaps" which did not let them have a great season. She highlighted how both Kiran Navgire, who could get just 16 runs in six innings and all-rounder Deepti Sharma, fresh after a 'Player of the Tournament' Women's World Cup, were both tried alongside Lanning as openers, but it did not work.

"UP Warriorz did not have the season they wanted. They had World Cup winner Meg Lanning as Captain, but the team had many gaps. They never found a stable opening pair. First, Kiran Navgire opened with Lanning, but it did not work. Then they tried Deepti Sharma, but opening is not her role. She always batted in the middle order, so she struggled against the new ball. This put more and more pressure on Lanning and the team," she said.

She also pointed out how UPW struggled while bowling in the powerplay throughout the tournament.

"Their bowling in the powerplay was also a big problem all season, though it was better against the Delhi Capitals because of Deandra Dottin and Shikha Pandey. You have to wonder what would have happened if they had taken those two easy catches off Laura Wolvaardt, especially with Shafali Varma not scoring at the other end," she concluded.

Coming to the match, Marizanne Kapp (3/30), Shree Charani (2/22) and Chinelle Henry restricted UPW to 122/8, with Deepti Sharma (24 in 19 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Shikha Pandey (23* in 13 balls, with three fours) being top-scorers. DC was down 11/1 with the loss of Lizelle Lee (10), Shafali Verma (29 in 33 balls, with two fours) and Laura (47 in 36 balls, with seven fours) put on a 73-run stand before DC was reduced to 97/3 in 14.2 overs. Skipper Jemimah's quickfire 34 in 18 balls, with five fours sealed the win for DC.

- ANI