The Women’s Delhi Premier League T20 delivered a high-octane thriller in Match 11, as North Delhi Strikers Women (NDS-W) held their nerve in a nail-biting encounter to edge past South Delhi Superstarz Women (SDS-W) by just 2 runs.
Taking the field to set the initial pace, North Delhi Strikers Women found themselves in immediate trouble. Opener Nazma Khan was cleaned up by Roopali Vishwa for 2 off 4 balls, leaving NDS-W at 3/1 in 1.2 overs. The pressure mounted when Shivi Sharma fell to a simple catch-and-bowl by Tanisha Singh, departing for 3 off 10 balls. Shortly after, Upasana Yadav was trapped lbw by Roopali Vishwa for 6 off 11 balls.
Struggling in the early stages, North Delhi needed a rescue act, and captain Ayushi Soni stepped up with a brilliant, unbeaten captain’s knock of 62* off 55 balls, featuring 7 boundaries. She built a crucial partnership with Archana, who provided explosive momentum by blasting 21 off 14 balls (3 fours, 1 six) before falling to Ekta Bhadana. Samaira Raghav then joined Soni to accelerate the scoring late in the innings, hitting a vital 32 off 26 balls (2 fours, 1 six) before being caught off Mayuri Singh.
Among the SDS-W bowlers, Roopali Vishwa was the standout performer, taking 2/23 in her 4 overs. Mayuri Singh (1/22), Tanisha Singh (1/11), and Ekta Bhadana (1/30) each picked up a wicket, while Disha Nagar (0/27), Yashika (0/8), and Kashish (0/5) kept things tidy. Thanks to Soni’s late charge, NDS-W capped their 20 overs at a fighting total of 126/5.
Chasing 127 for victory, South Delhi Superstarz Women got off to a disciplined yet cautious start. Openers Nishika Singh and Tanishqa Singh laid the groundwork, putting on 20 runs for the opening stand. The breakthrough came when Reshika Beniwal removed Nishika for 6 off 13 balls in the 5th over. Tanishqa tried to hold one end, scoring 15 off 19 balls before being stumped by Riya Shokeen off Nazma Khan.
Priya Punia then led the middle-order charge with a well-made 31 off 30 balls, anchoring the chase alongside Tanisha Singh, who contributed a valuable 24 off 29 balls. However, NDS-W bowlers struck back precisely when SDS-W looked to break free. Apeksha Anand dismissed Priya Punia, while Archana removed Tanisha Singh.
Captain Shweta Sehrawat injected intense drama into the game, smashing a rapid 20 off just 12 balls (1 four, 1 six) to pull SDS-W closer. In a rare turn of events, her innings ended abruptly when she was dismissed for obstructing the field. Late cameos from Disha Nagar (14 off 11 balls) and Kashish (8 off 6 balls) kept SDS-W within striking distance, but Archana dismissed Nagar, and Kashish was run out by Nazma Khan and Reshika Beniwal in a desperate dash for runs. Ekta Bhadana remained un-out on 0 as the final over concluded.
The NDS-W bowling effort was anchored by Archana, who bowled a match-winning spell of 2/26 in 4 overs. Apeksha Anand was exceptionally economical, finishing with figures of 1/16 in 4 overs (including 1 maiden). Reshika Beniwal (1/26) and Nazma Khan (1/34) claimed a wicket apiece, while Priya Mishra gave away just 22 runs in her 4 overs without a wicket.
Despite a valiant chase, South Delhi Superstarz Women were restricted to 124/7 in 20 overs, allowing North Delhi Strikers Women to claim a dramatic, hard-fought 2-run victory.
Loves all things female cricket