How Did Rodrigues Acknowledge Kapp's Legendary Bowling in WPL 2026?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Marizanne Kapp's outstanding bowling was key to Delhi's victory.
- Partnerships played a crucial role in building successful innings.
- Jemimah Rodrigues' leadership was instrumental in the chase.
- N. Sree Charani's performance helped restrict Mumbai's score.
- Learning from opponents can enhance gameplay.
Vadodara, Jan 21 (NationPress) Following her remarkable half-century that propelled the Delhi Capitals to a second consecutive win in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026, captain Jemimah Rodrigues lauded Marizanne Kapp for her phenomenal bowling during the Power-play, which laid the groundwork for their triumph over the Mumbai Indians.
The foundation was solidified by an exceptional bowling display from Kapp, who dominated the initial overs, delivering 16 dot balls and conceding just eight runs across her four overs, preventing any boundaries. This tight bowling, together with Nandani Sharma, left the Mumbai side reeling at 23/2 at the end of the Powerplay, with Sajana (9) and Hayley Matthews (12) falling early.
"This match was crucial for us. I wish to share this award with Kappy (Marizanne Kapp). I even inquired if I could do that. The way she bowled during the Power-play was vital for our performance. It was one of her finest spells. She is a legend in this sport, yet she remains eager to improve," commented Rodrigues post-match.
On the bowling front for Delhi, N. Sree Charani was a standout performer, claiming three wickets for 33 runs, including two pivotal wickets in the 18th over, which restricted Mumbai to a modest 154/5. Kapp also chipped in with a wicket for just 8 runs, ensuring the Mumbai total was kept in check.
After a strong start to the chase by Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma, Rodrigues' innings of 51 runs off 37 balls proved crucial for Delhi's success. She added a brisk 31 runs off just 17 balls in partnership with Kapp, mainly through quick singles. She emphasized the importance of swift running between the wickets and taking her time initially to build the innings on a challenging pitch.
"Even when she joined, I believed our partnership was defined by our running between the wickets. I've had conversations with trusted individuals who advised me to take my time at the start. I have experience playing on similar pitches. Therefore, it's about navigating the first ten balls. If I achieve that, batting becomes simpler," added Rodrigues.
Earlier, despite facing early setbacks, the Mumbai Indians managed to stabilize their innings through their established players. Nat Sciver-Brunt showcased her prowess once again, scoring an unbeaten 65 runs from 45 balls, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed significantly with 41 runs. Together, they forged a crucial partnership of 78 runs, anchoring Mumbai's respectable total.
Rodrigues felt that anything below 160 was manageable if partnerships were formed, and she noted that she learned from Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur's approaches during their batting.
"We were aware that anything under 160 was a competitive total. However, we needed solid partnerships. I picked up a few insights from Nat (Sciver-Brunt) and Harmanpreet Kaur) regarding their batting approach tonight."