Delhi Under-23 women lift T20 title to end state's BCCI trophy drought

The Delhi team that won the Women’s Under-23 T20 Trophy final after beating arch-rivals and powerhouse Mumbai on Wednesday to end the state’s drought for a BCCI trophy dashed off to the beach in Thiruvananthapuram for celebrations soon after victory. 

The party continued when they reached the hotel where their host arranged for a cake.

This is indeed a big achievement. Delhi have failed to win a BCCI Trophy at any level, men or women, for a very long time. The under-23 women reached the final of the T20 tournament last year too but lost the final to Madhya Pradesh. The under-15 girls team also came close last year but lost in the final.

Prior to Wednesday’s win, Delhi’s titles came in the 2017-18 season when the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) was run by administrator Justice Vikramjit Sen. They then won the men’s under-23 tournament for Col CK Nayudu Trophy, Women’s T20 League and the National Senior Men’s T20s for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. That season, they won the North Zone League in men’s U-19 one-dayers for Vinoo Mankad Trophy.

“We cannot believe it. This is yet to sink in. The way Mumbai lost, we had been in that place previously, losing the final and the semi-finals. We feel like this is a massive achievement,” said skipper Tanisha Singh from Thiruvananthapuram.

On a low and slow pitch, Delhi scored 110/8 with opener Deeksha scoring 51 off 48 balls. The right-handed batter ended as the Player of the Tournament with 276 runs in eight games at an average of 46. Deeksha added 49 in nine overs with opener and wicketkeeper Pragya Rawat (29 off 32 balls).

Delhi huffed and puffed their way to 110 and faced the onslaught from Mumbai batting lineup, which also included Women’s Premier League star Simran Shaikh (17 off 15). The Mumbaikars were cruising at 66/3 with the experienced Fatima Jaffer at the crease. But Riya Kondal pulled off a stunning catch at point off the bowling of Tanisha to get rid of her.

“She jumped and dived to the right, and stretched fully to grab the ball,” said team Head Coach Deepti Dhyani.

“Madhu and Bharti bowled very well. Whenever we needed wickets they delivered,” said Deepti.

While off-spinner Madhu took 3/10, left-arm spinner won the Player of the Match Award with 4/15.

After Tanisha got rid of Fatima (who comes from the renowned cricketing family of the Jaffers), Bharti removed the well-set Shraddha (16) to leave Mumbai at 67/5.

Skipper and wicketkeeper Khushi was still at the crease.

“The match seesawed and went till the end. Khushi was still there and was managing to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking,” said Tanisha.

Madhu removed Khushi, caught by Tanisha at cover. That fall of sixth wicket was the other turning point from where Delhi grabbed the match.

Delhi have gone unbeaten in the tournament. They beat Baroda, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Tripura and Mizoram in the league phase. They then thrashed Karnataka and Assam in the quarterfinal and semifinal respectively by an identical margin of nine wickets to reach the final.

“We are gearing up for one-dayers,” said an elated Tanisha.

The one-day tournament will take place in March.

Tags : DDCA, BCCI, Women’s Under-23 T20 Trophy, Delhi cricket, Mumbai cricket, Deeksha, Thiruvananthapuram