Deepti Sharma’s maiden T20 fifty went in vain as Mumbai Indians rode on brilliant performances from Saika Ishaque and Nat Sciver-Brunt to hammer UP Warriorz by 42 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Thursday.
Mumbai Indians went level on points with Delhi Capitals at the top of the table after their thumping win over UPW. Earlier, after winning the toss, Mumbai Indians managed to post a competitive total of 160 for 6 against UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League match in New Delhi on Thursday. Despite losing both openers Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Mathews in the fourth over, Nat Sciver-Brunt (45 off 31) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (33 off 30) stabilised MI’s batting with a 59-run partnership for the third wicket.
MI’s innings gained momentum towards the conclusion, thanks to contributions from Amelia Kerr (39 not out) and rising sensation Sajeevan Sajana (22 not out off 14 balls), who shared a 43-run stand in 4.2 overs. MI’s middle and lower orders helped their side recover, with Sciver-Brunt and Kaur providing steadiness, while Kerr and Sajana added to the total in the last overs.
While Sciver-Brunt played her shots throughout her aggressive knock, which included eight hits to the fence, Harmanpreet decided to play the anchor’s role. But just as the partnership was looking promising, Sciver-Brunt was bowled out by left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who was hammered by the batter in her first few overs. Sciver-Brunt was duped by a quicker delivery that pitched at a fuller length and stayed a little low. Harmanpreet then took the initiative to boost the ante alongside Kerr, who made good use of the long handle. The MI captain first swept Gayakwad to deep midwicket, then got down on her knee three balls later to strike a maximum.