Mumbai Indians Clinch Thrilling Win in WPL Opener with Last Ball Six from Sajeevan Sajana
In the opening match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024, Mumbai Indians secured a dramatic victory against Delhi Capitals due largely to a last-ball six by debutante Sajeevan Sajana.
With five required off the final ball, Sajana smashed the ball over the ropes to seal the deal for Mumbai Indians, winning the match by three wickets. This feat marked the first instance of a woman hitting a first-ball six to win a T20 chase on the final ball.
Nineteen-year-old Alice Capsey set a new record for the highest score by an English player in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) on Friday, but it was her Mumbai Indians teammate who stole the show in a dramatic final over finish.
Capsey smashed 75 runs off just 53 balls against the Delhi Capitals, eclipsing the previous record of 72 held by her England colleague Nat Sciver-Brunt. Her knock, studded with nine fours and three sixes, threatened to propel her even further up the leaderboard, but she was dismissed lbw while attempting a reverse sweep in the 18th over.
With Capsey’s heroics, Delhi posted a competitive total of 171-5. For Mumbai Indians, Harmanpreet Kaur (55) and Yastika Bhatia (57) lead the way for victory.
The chase went down to the wire, with Mumbai needing 12 runs from the final over bowled by Capsey herself. The young spinner displayed her all-around ability, taking two wickets, including the crucial scalp of Kaur off the penultimate delivery.
However, with five runs required, Sajeevan Sajana smashed Capsey over long-on for a match-winning six, securing a thrilling four-wicket victory for Mumbai.
Sciver-Brunt, who had earlier contributed 19 runs from 17 balls, was dismissed while attempting her trademark “Natmeg” shot. The victory marks another triumph for Mumbai over Delhi, who they had defeated in last year’s final as well.
This year’s WPL, the second edition of the tournament, features five teams: Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz.
