In a rain-affected league final here on Saturday, North Delhi Strikers defeated East Delhi Riders by seven wickets to advance to the Women’s Delhi Premier League final.
The Riders chose to bat and amassed a respectable 150 for two in 20 overs. In response, Upasana Yadav’s 65 off 44 balls helped the Strikers easily chase down the amended D/L goal.
During the chase, Upasana and Mansi Sharma got off to a quick start and were 26/0 by the fourth over. Still, Mansi (10 off 10 balls) fell before play was momentarily stopped by rain.
The Strikers returned with confidence and reached 50 runs by the sixth over after the target was rewritten to 113 in 14 overs.
Upasana reached her half-century in 33 balls in the ninth over, while Nazma Sultana was dismissed for six off ten deliveries.
Together with Ayushi Soni, Yadav reduced the required score to 10 runs in the last two overs when 38 runs from 30 deliveries were needed.
Priya Mishra halted Yadav’s incredible performance in the 13th over at this point.
From then on, Soni and Monika managed to get the target down with two balls remaining.
The Riders had a strong start earlier with to 45 runs added in the Powerplay by Priya Punia and Pratika Rawal.
Punia teamed up with Pragya Rawat to help sustain the run flow, while Rawal reached her fifty in thirty-three balls before being out in the twelfth over.
In the 17th over, Punia achieved her half-century, while Rawat was dismissed after scoring 21 off 20 balls.
Punia contributed to the Riders’ 150 for two score in their allocated 20 overs with an undefeated 63 from 59 deliveries.
On Sunday, the Strikers and South Delhi Superstarz will play in the championship match.
Brief scores: East Delhi Riders 150-2 in 20 overs (Priya Punia – 63 not out, Pratika Rawal – 52; Bharti Rawal – 1/16) lost to North Delhi Strikers 113-3 in 13.3 overs (Upasana Yasav – 65, Ayushi Soni – 17 not out; Priya Mishra 1/16) by 7 wickets (via D/L method).
