Upasana Yadav guides North Delhi Strikers to Women's DPL final

Upasana Yadav (65 off 44 balls), for the second time in the tournament, guided North Delhi Strikers to victory, which this time helped them enter the final of the Women’s Delhi Premier League at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground of the Arun Jaitley Stadium, on Saturday.

After East Delhi Riders Women scored 150/2 in 20 overs, built largely on Priya Punia’s 63 not out (59 balls) and Pratika Rawal’s 52 (35 balls), the Strikers started confidently through Upasana.

The right-handed batter was the dominant scorer in the first and second wicket partnerships of 29 and 39 respectively with Mansi Sharma (10) and Nazma (6).

After rain intervention when Strikers were 29/1 in 3.5 overs, the target was lowered to 113 in 14 overs.

The sixth over brought 19 runs and that set the Strikers rolling towards the target.

“Today’s match was very important for us because if we’d lost today’s game, then definitely it would have been tough for us. Since it rained [and DLS method] came into play, we didn’t want to lose wickets. We wanted to go with a good run rate too,” said Upasana after the match.

Pratika blamed the bowling for the loss.

“We got a very good start and we finished very well too. The total of 150 was very good. But I have to credit Upasana for the way she played and snatched the game from us. We committed lapses in bowling,” said Pratika.

“We conceded extras (7 wides and a no-ball). The bowlers should have bowled according to the field. If Upasana was playing well on one side, then you should have bowled to him on the off-side. We could have made changes there.”

Pratika praised the tournament.

“We have benefitted immensely through it. Because we are all getting opportunity to showcase our talent to come into Delhi team. There is a lot of genuine talent in Delhi.”

Brief Scores

East Delhi Riders Women 150/2 in 20 overs (Priya Punia 63* off 59, Pratika Rawal 52 off 35, Bharti Rawal 1/16) lost to North Delhi Strikers Women 113/3 in 13.3 overs (Upasana Yasav 65 off 44, Ayushi Soni 17* off 13, Priya Mishra 1/16)

Tags : Upasana Yadav, Women's Delhi Premier League, Cricket, Priya Punia, Pratika Rawal, Arun Jaitley Stadium