The action returned in the Women’s T20 League on Saturday as the tournament geared up for a doubleheader. The day’s first game was played in the Wankhede Stadium, with the table toppers Mumbai facing UP. UP has had a mixed bag of a season so far, with two wins from five games giving them four points; they are currently third on the points table.
A special moment in the field produced by India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur quickly went viral online. In the first ball of the second over of UP innings, bowled by Hayley Matthews, Devika Vaidya edged a well-flighted delivery. The ball went away from Harmanpreet Kaur, fielding in the slip as she dived to complete a sensational catch. Her reaction time and accurate, sharp reflex have been praised by many online as the video went viral quickly.
Here’s a video of the sensational catch:
What a tremendous catch by Harmanpreet Kaur. pic.twitter.com/aJ2SstYV7p
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 18, 2023
UP need 128 runs to hand Mumbai their first defeat of the season
Speaking of the game, UP won the toss and decided to bowl first. Mumbai could not make a meal out of their invitation to bat first as they were bundled out for 127 in their 20 overs in an exceptional fielding performance by UP. Only three Mumbai batters – Hayley Matthews (35 off 30), Harmanpreet Kaur (25 off 22), and Issy Wong (32 off 19) – could reach double figures.
For UP, superstar bowler Sophie Ecclestone returned with a three-wicket haul from her four overs, conceding 15 runs. At the same time, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Deepti Sharma returned with two wickets each. There also were two run-outs involved in UP’s exceptional fielding performance. They now have an easy chase on hand, requiring 128 runs from 120 balls to hand Mumbai their first defeat of the season.
In the day’s second game, the bottom two teams, Bangalore and Gujarat, will clash for pride. Although the road to the playoffs for the two sides could not have been any steeper, the two sides will battle it out for glory at the Brabourne Stadium and try to keep themselves alive in the inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 League.
