The North Delhi Strikers Women secured a thrilling 10-run victory over the South Delhi Superstarz Women to win the inaugural Women’s Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2024 title at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday ( September 8). The match was a showcase of determination, skill, and nerves of steel, with North Delhi emerging as champions in a closely contested final.

A record-breaking knock by Upasana Yadav for North Delhi Strikers

Upasana Yadav stole the show with a historic performance, becoming the first player in the league’s history to score a century. Her unbeaten 114 off just 67 balls, adorned with 18 boundaries and three sixes, was the cornerstone of North Delhi’s commanding total of 179/3 in their 20 overs. Yadav’s explosive innings, especially after the early dismissal of Mansi Sharma for duck, set the tone for North Delhi’s innings. Partnering with Monika, Yadav guided the team to 50/1 by the end of the powerplay.

Though Monika was dismissed for 19 off 15 in the seventh over, Yadav continued her aggressive approach. She reached her fifty in 36 balls and accelerated to her century in just 62 deliveries. Ayushi Soni provided steady support with 31 off 34 balls, helping North Delhi post a formidable total. South Delhi’s Aarti Kumari was the standout bowler, claiming 2/34 in her four overs.

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South Delhi Superstarz’ spirited chase falls short

In response, South Delhi began their chase with intent, but early wickets pegged them back. Openers Chhavi Gupta (20 off 20) and Shweta Sehrawat (13 off 11) were both dismissed by the end of the powerplay, leaving South Delhi at 46/2. Tanisha Singh, however, took up the challenge, anchoring the innings with a valiant 72 off 40 balls.

Singh first built a crucial 38-run partnership with Riya Soni, but Soni’s dismissal in the 11th over left South Delhi at 84/3. Undeterred, Singh forged a 60-run stand with Nidhi Mahto, bringing the score to 144/4 in the 17th over. The momentum, however, shifted once again when Bharti Rawal removed Mahto, and Soni Yadav struck twice in the 18th over, dismissing both Singh and R Priyadarshini. These wickets left South Delhi reeling at 151/6.

Despite a late fightback from Ekta Bhadana and Manju Godara, who added 15 runs in the 19th over, South Delhi found themselves needing 14 runs from the final six balls. Nazma Sultana delivered a disciplined last over, taking two crucial wickets and sealing the win for North Delhi. South Delhi ended their innings on 169/8, falling just 10 runs short of the target.

North Delhi Strikers are the champions of the women’s DPL 2024 🏆#women #cricket #dpl2024 #northdelhi #AdaniDPL #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/M6B9w5NpsN

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) September 9, 2024

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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