Sophie Devine conjured up another magical show to help Gujarat Giants snatch victory from the jaws of death in their Women’s Premier League match at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday night.
The night had gone dark, and Gujarat’s chances were turning dim with every ball being stroked away by Laura Wolvaardt. The Capitals needed just seven runs from six balls and Sophie, who had entertained the crowds with her willow work, had the ball in her hand in what was a do-or-die battle.
She conceded a single to Laura and off the next ball had Capitals’ skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (15) caught behind by Beth Mooney to give the story another twist in its tail. Still the odds favoured Capitals who needed six off four balls and new bat Marizanne Kapp to face Sophie. A dot ball was followed by a single as Sophie was relishing her chance to pull off a rabbit out of the hat. Five off two balls and the biggest blow was struck when Sophie had Laura caught by Wareham running in from deep mid-wicket and the battle was won. Laura had struck a 38-ball 77 with nine fours and three sixes but those last five needed will come back to haunt her for quite some time.
Sophie held her nerve and denied Sneh Rana any run of the last ball to help Gujarat win by four runs. If it was Sophie who stole the show at the death, there were others how played small but very significant part in the miracle win. One cannot forget the six Anushka Sharma saved in the penultimate over, especially with the Giants winning by four runs. Then there was the terrific spell by Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
Apart from Laura, opener Lizelle Lee too played a superb knock to take Capitals close. She struck 12 fours and three sixes in her 54-ball 86.
Earlier, Gujarat rode on Sophie’s sparkling 42-ball 95 with contained seven fours and eight sixes. Sophie had spanked Rana for 32 in an over, the only over she bowled in the innings.
Skipper Ashleigh Gardner played the able foil with a 26-ball 49 with four boundaries and three sixes. For Capitals, it was spinner Nandani Sharma, who stole the show with a five for 33 haul.
“I was just focusing on what I could do better. Our fielding coach gave me confidence. It was self-belief and I am trying to do better. It feels surreal that I am playing among the great players and getting to learn from my teammates. It is just wonderful,” said Anushka on her splendid fielding effort.
On the final over bowled by Sophie, she said: “We were just focusing on what we could do better. That makes the difference when you have experience. You need to be calm and that is how you deal with pressure.”
Capitals’ skipper Jemimah said she was proud of the way the team fought back after Sophie had put them under pressure with the bat. “She (Devine) put us under pressure but the way Nandani and Charani bowled…could not be prouder. Tough pill to swallow but lots of positives to take,” Jemimah said.
Asked what Capitals need to rectify most in their strategy, she said: “Our powerplay bowling, we need to get our plans more sorted. Tough to bowl when Devine is in such form. Such games, you want to finish off on the winning side.”
Brief scores: Gujarat Giants 209 in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 95, Ashleigh Gardner 49; Chinelle Henry 2/43, Nandani Sharma 5-33, Shree Charani 2/42) beat Delhi Capitals 205/5 in 20 overs (Lizelle Lee 86, Laura Wolvaardt 77; Sophie Devine 2/21, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/34).
