Delhi Capitals defeated top-ranked Royal Challengers Bengaluru by seven wickets in Vadodara on Saturday to maintain their place in the Women’s Premier League playoffs.
After choosing to field, Delhi bowled brilliantly to dismiss RCB for 109 in 20 overs. They then chased down the modest total with 26 balls to spare, giving their opponents their first loss of the year.
The Delhi Capitals reached 111/3 in 15.4 overs, with Laura Wolvaardt leading the way with a 38-ball 42 not out and captain Jemimah Rodrigues contributing 24.
In a poor start to the chase, openers Shafali Verma (16) and Lizelle Lee (6) were dismissed cheaply in the fourth over, reducing DC to 24/2.
However, Rodrigues and Wolvaardt’s 52-run partnership for the third wicket helped DC prevail. Rodrigues smashed four boundaries while facing 26 balls for her 24. In her 38-ball undefeated knock, Wolvaardt struck four boundaries and one six. The winning runs came from a four off Shreyanka Patil by Marizanne Kapp, who scored 19 not out off 15 balls.
With 2/18, Sayali Satghare was the most effective bowler for the RCB, while Radha Yadav only claimed one wicket. DC moved up to second place with six points following Saturday’s victory, while RCB maintained their lead with ten points.
Earlier, Delhi Capitals bowled RCB out for 109 with a disciplined bowling display. RCB captain Smriti Mandhana led the team with a 34-ball 38 thanks to six fours and one six, but her teammates all struggled.
Eight batters were dismissed for single-digit scores, with Radha Yadav being the next highest scorer with a 17-ball 18.
The highest partnership for RCB, of 36 runs, was the opening stand between Mandhana and Grace Harris (9). They were dismissed in 20 overs after collapsing to 78 for 5 in the 14th over.
Nandani Sharma (3/26) claimed three wickets for DC, while Marizanne Kapp (2/17), Minnu Mani (2/18), and Chinelle Henry (2/22) each claimed two. One wicket was taken by Shree Charani.
