Mumbai cruised into the finals of the Seniors Women’s T20 Plate Group and will take on Uttar Pradesh in the decider to be held on 15 January. In the semi-finals held in Ranchi, Mumbai triumphed over Himachal courtesy S Naik and MK Dakshini’s performances. In the other semi-final, Deepti’s contributions with the bat and Saumya’s four-for ensured Uttar Pradesh a thumping win against Andhra.
Here’s what transpired in the matches:
Mumbai vs Himachal Pradesh: Mumbai 126/7 in 20 overs (S Naik 55, Jemimah R 25, T Kanwer 3/21) beat HP 100/9 in 20 overs (T Kanwer 27, S Kumari 20*, N Daruwalla 2/22) by 26 runs
S Naik's 55 helped Mumbai set Himachal Pradesh a competitive target in the semi-final. After losing her partner with just two runs on the board, the opener forged a 51-run stand with Jemimah R (25) to lay a good foundation. Although Mumbai lost their middle-order to single digit scores, a 5-ball unbeaten 13 by MK Dakshini then lifted the team to 126 for seven at the end of their allotted overs.
Defending the total, Dakshini returned to give Mumbai their first breakthrough in the second over of the game. The rest of the bowlers too bowled well to help keep UP in check. Kanwer, who had earlier claimed three Mumbai wickets, top-scored for UP with 27 runs. However, with wickets falling at regular intervals Mumbai finished on the winnings side.
Andhra vs Uttar Pradesh: UP 123/6 in 20 overs (Deepti 44, M Malik 23, S Gadwal 2/18, M Bhavana 2/25) beat Andhra 80/9 in 20 overs (N Anusha 29, CH Jhansi Lakshmi 20, Saumya 4/13, Deepti 2/13) by 43 runs.
Saumya bowled UP to a 43-run win in against Andhra at the JSCA Stadium. After Deepti's 49-ball 44 at the top of the order, Muskan Malik's 16-ball 23 helped the team to a respectable 123 for six in the all-important knockout game after electing to bat.
Deepti then ended Andhra's opening stand for 40 and followed up with second wicket 17 runs later to set the ball rolling. Saumya then claimed four for 13 to wreck the middle-order and send the opponents on the back foot. The UP attack held Andhra to just 80 for nine.
