WPL 2023: We didn’t bat at our best – Meg Lanning after loss in summit clash

Delhi Capitals Women captain Meg Lanning admitted that they didn’t bat at their best after suffering a seven-wicket loss against Mumbai Indian Women at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday. DCW posted 131-9 after the veteran Australian decided to bat first after winning the toss.

Meg Lanning and Marizanne Kapp were building a good partnership before the former was run out. From 73-3, Delhi Capitals slipped to 79-9 and it was the turning point in the game. Hayley Matthews took three wickets in her quota of four overs and did an amazing job for the home team.

However, courtesy of quickfire knocks from Radha Yadav and Shikha Pandey, DCW were able to go past the 130-run mark. Yadav and Pandey scored 27 each and added 52 runs from only 24 balls for the final wicket.

On the other hand, Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt added a crucial alliance for MIW after they lost two early wickets in the Powerplay overs. MIW skipper scored 37 runs whereas Brunt scored a match-winning knock of 60 runs from 55 balls to help her team chase down the target.

Meg Lanning said in the post-match presentation, “We would have loved to win but full credit to MI. They deserve it but full credit to our group’s efforts. We didn’t really set a target, we wanted to put a few more. We didn’t bat at our best but this competition has shown you can keep going till the end, and then you never know. Very good effort from the bowlers. We did well in the first 10 overs, got early wickets but Harmanpreet and Sciver-Brunt took the game away, they batted very well. I have enjoyed playing spin, enjoyed my experience with DC. Everyone responsible at this franchise, made us feel very welcome. A massive thank you to them.”

Meanwhile, Hayley Matthews was awarded the Most Valuable Player award. Matthews scalped 16 wickets in 10 matches at an economy rate of 5.94 to also bag the Purple Cap award. The MIW opener scored 271 runs in 10 matches at an average of 30.11.

She said after the win, “Happy to contribute, being able to do things with both bat and ball. Continuously try to improve and the conditions help my off-spin. Important to take back the award but more happy to win with Mumbai Indians. (On what she wants to be remembered for – batting or bowling) Whichever is better on that day.”