How Delhi Capitals fielded five overseas players against Royal Challengers Bangalore despite the 4-player limit in WPL

Delhi Capitals fielded five overseas cricketers in their playing XI against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), despite the four-foreign player rule. Like the Indian Premier League, WPL franchises are also allowed to field just four overseas cricketers in the squad, but a special allowance has been provided to DC. DC were given an allowance due to the presence of United States (USA) fast bowler Tara Norris. As per the rules, a team will be allowed to field five foreign players if one of them is from an associate country. Currently, no other team in the tournament has a cricketer from any associate nation.

Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning struck combative fifties in a 162-run opening partnership as Delhi Capitals posted 223 for two against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Indian batting sensation played a brilliant knock of 84 runs in 45 balls, which included 10 fours and four sixes.

The legendary World Cup-winning Australian skipper, Lanning was also at her attacking best in a 43-ball 72 (14×4) as the duo dismantled the RCB attack on a batting paradise at Brabourne.

RCB finally got the much-needed breakthrough in the 15th over when England skipper Heather Knight dismissed both of them with her off-spin.

Knight cleaned up her Australian counterpart with a fuller delivery, and just one delivery later, Shafali edged Richa Ghosh with a fine delivery and completed a brilliant catch to seal the double blow.

But, it was too late for the RCB camp as the DC duo’s stupendous opening partnership of 162 off 87 balls set the tone for a 200-plus score. It was then left to Marijan Kapp and Jemimah Rodrigues for the final flourish, adding 59 runs in the back end.

Fresh from his T20 World Cup exploits, the South African batsman hit three sixes and three fours in his 17-ball 39 not out, while Jemimah made a fine 15-ball 22 (3×4).

A compact-looking Shafali never made a wrong move, and picked up loose balls well to bring up her 31-ball fifty with a single off Megan Schutt.

In the next over, the inimitable Australian skipper Lanning brought up her half-century off 30 balls, hitting Heather Knight at fine leg.

After starting with 12 fours in the powerplay, Delhi reached the 100-run mark at the halfway mark as the duo showed good pace in the middle overs.

While the batting of the pair was excellent, Lanning and Shafali had fun against some clumsy bowling from the RCB bowlers.

In her WPL captaincy debut, Smriti Mandhana used seven bowlers after making the bold move of bowling at batting-friendly Brabourne.

(With PTI inputs)

featured video of the day

Gautam Gambhir Backs KL Rahul To Be Retained In The Playing XI Of The Indian Team