The much-anticipated clash between Mumbai Indians Women and Delhi Capitals Women kicked off at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, with Delhi Capitals opting to bowl first after winning the toss. The decision by captain Meg Lanning proved to be spot on, as an early breakthrough set the tone for a promising start.
Early Breakthrough for Delhi Capitals Women
Shikha Pandey, entrusted with the new ball, made an immediate impact in the very first over, dismissing Hayley Matthews for a two-ball duck. The opening batter, known for her explosive starts, was lured into a drive by a full delivery outside off-stump. However, the inswinger induced a thick outside edge, carrying straight into the safe hands of Meg Lanning at slip, who held on brilliantly low to the ground. The early wicket sent a surge of energy through the Delhi Capitals’ camp, as their well-planned field setup worked exactly as they had envisioned.
Before the match began, Lanning’s decision to place a wide slip had raised eyebrows, but it paid off instantly as Pandey bowled with precision. The reaction from the Delhi captain after taking the catch clearly indicated that the team had strategized for this exact scenario. Matthews’ dismissal left Mumbai at 1/1 in 0.3 overs, putting pressure on the home side early in the innings.
With the first big blow landed, Yastika Bhatia remains at the crease, now facing the challenge of stabilizing the innings. Delhi Capitals Women will look to capitalize on this early breakthrough, while Mumbai will hope their star batters can steer them towards a competitive total.