WPL 2023

"Amazing, incredible, superb effort from the girls, very proud of them. It (blow to finger) will be fine. Defending here in CCI is never easy, I know it was a tough game, a high scoring game. We lived up to the game," Rana said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Electing to bat first, Sophia set the tone for Gujarat's big total through a breath-taking 65 off 28 balls, including slamming fastest fifty of the tournament in 18 balls. In her blazing knock, she slammed 11 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 232.14. Once she fell, Harleen shined to ensure Gujarat didn't lose momentum.

With immense pressure of chasing down 202, Sophie slammed eight fours and two sixes in her 45-ball knock while sharing a 54-run opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana and a promising stand of 43 runs with Ellyse Perry. Heather Knight also landed some big blows. But Gujarat taking five wickets after the half-way stage meant Bangalore ended up at 190/6 in 20 overs and are now rooted to the bottom of points table.

Sophia set the tone for Gujarat's big total through a breath-taking 65 off 28 balls, including slamming fastest fifty of the tournament in 18 balls. In her blazing knock, she slammed 11 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 232.14. Once she fell, Harleen shined to ensure Gujarat didn't lose momentum. From being 18 off 17 at one point, she impressed everyone with her timing and placement to score 67 off 45 balls, hitting nine fours and a six at a strike-rate of 148.89.

After winning the toss, Sneh said the playing eleven is unchanged from their three-wicket loss to UP Warriorz on Sunday. "It's a used pitch. Want to bat freely with our batting depth. The environment was very positive - the kind of cricket we played. I'm enjoying the role. It adds responsibility to your shoulders," she added. Bangalore skipper Smriti Mandhana said leg-spin all-rounder Poonam Khemnar will replace batter Disha Kasat in the playing eleven.

The inaugural season of the WPL began from March 4, with Alyssa captaining UP Warriorz. Many current and former cricketers had been advocating for the WPL to begin, with it being seen as a gamechanger for women cricketers in India on and off the field. "I'm happy to own the fact that I've been calling for the WPL to come to fruition for a while, so it's really cool to be over here witnessing first-hand how Indian cricket operates.

An attacking half-century by captain Meg Lanning (70 off 42) along with vital cameos by Jess Jonassen (42 not out off 20) and Jemimah Rodrigues (34 not out off 22) powered Delhi Capitals to 211/4 in 20 overs. Apart from Lanning, Jonassen and Rodrigues, the likes of Alice Capsey (21), Shafali Verma (17), Marizanne Kapp (16) got starts but couldn't score big.

"We are going to have a bowl. A little bit of green which is rare in India. We have made a large call, Grace Harris sits out and Ismail comes in. We have made an impact call and hopefully, Ismail does that tonight. We have some talented local Indian players and that is a benefit. The belief within the group is there and it will be tested tonight against a good Delhi side," said Healy at the toss.

Hayley, picked in the acceleration round at her base price in the player auction last month after going unsold in the first round, dismissed Bangalore skipper Smriti Mandhana, Heather Knight and Richa Ghosh to be Mumbai's best bowler with figures of 3-28, before smashing a stunning 77 not out off 38 balls to give her team second big win in a row and top spot in the points table.

Reflecting on the fantastic start to the tournament, Grace said, "Our first evening out under the lights was a fantastic one. It was quite a thrilling time. The UP Warriorz were in a spot of bother for a bit, but that we were able to pull through from there was a great thing for our team. We were extremely pumped up by the end of the night."