Upasana's 78 powers North Delhi Strikers to win over Central Delhi Queens

Upasana Yadav’s knock of 78 off 62 balls helped the North Delhi Strikers Women beat Central Delhi Queens by 53 runs in their opening match of the Women’s Delhi Premier League T20 at the Ferozeshah Kotla grounds of the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Upasana’s 78, and Ayushi Soni’s unbeaten 38 not out, propelled the Strikers to a total of 134/4. Nazma Sultana then starred with the ball, taking 4/14 to restrict the Central Delhi Queens to 82/7.

Chasing 135, the Central Delhi Queens struggled in the Powerplay. Openers Laxmi Yadav (12 off 20) and Neha Chillar (12 off 26) were bogged down, and Laxmi fell to Sultana on the final ball of the sixth over, leaving the Queens at 21/1.

Wickets began to tumble as Sultana cleaned up Neha Chillar while Antra bagged Armeet Kaur (2 off 4). Vandana Sharma and Deeksha Chaturvedi also fell quickly to add to Central Delhi Queens’ woes. Shivi Sharma (24* off 34) and Paruniki Sisodia (16 off 37) built a 33-run partnership, but their efforts were in vain. Sultana went on to pick up Sisodia and Mayuri Singh.

Electing to bat, the North Delhi Strikers Women were buoyed by opener Upasana’s half-century that was studded with 13 boundaries and two sixes. Despite losing Mansi Sharma and Riya Shokeen cheaply in the Powerplay, Upasana combined with Ayushi Soni (38* off 43) for a massive 73-run partnership in 78 deliveries to dominate the middle overs. 

Neha Chillar broke through for the Cental Delhi Queens, castling Upasana in the 17th over followed by the wicket of Nazma Sultana in consecutive deliveries. Monica (10 off 6) and Ayushi Soni put on a brisk 22 runs in 15 balls and remained unbeaten. While Ayushi started slowly, she finished strong and crafted two boundaries in the final over, as North Delhi Strikers Women posted 134/4 in 20 overs.

Brief Scores

North Delhi Strikers Women 134/4 in 20 overs (Upasana Yadav 73 runs off 62, Ayushi Soni 38 not out off 43, Neha Chillar 2/14, Parunika Sisodia 1/20, Mahi Chauhan 1/32) beat Central Delhi Queens 82/7 in 20 overs (Shivi Sharma 24 not out off 34, Paruniki Sisodia 16 off 27, Nazma Sultana 4/17)

Tags : Women's DPL, Cricket, Upasana Yadav, Ayushi Soni, North Delhi Strikers Women, Central Delhi Queens, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Ferozeshah Kotla