GG Women vs DC Women, 20th Match at Delhi, WPL, Mar 13 2024 - Match Result

10:30pm And that will be a wrap for tonight. Just two games remain now before the winner of the second season of the WPL emerges. DC will be present in the summit clash but who will they face? Will it be the defending champions Mumbai Indians or the resurgent Royal Challengers Bangalore? Join us on Friday to find out. Until then, this is goodbye from all of us. Goodnight and take care, folks!

Shafali Verma, Player of the Match: (On hitting straight) In my previous innings also, I was looking to hit straight. I tried to do that today also. When there were good balls, I tried to respect it and pick up singles. I check where the fielders are, and if she (Gardner) bowled in my range, I wanted to go for it. I backed my strengths, and hence could score (tonight). I felt in good touch and wanted to bat through. I am disappointed that I could not be there at the end. I am trying to give my best in the field also - that is what our bowling coach also says, and he wants us to save as much as we can in the field.

Meg Lanning, Delhi Capitals captain: Happy with the win tonight. She (Shafali) was excellent. When she plays like that, she makes it look very easy. Nice to watch her dominate. (On DC's form through the tournament) I think we have had good patches in all games. We had not put a full game together. Tonight was pretty close to that. Gives us immense confidence going into the final. We have been excellent throughout, even though we lost the first game. T20 is such a fickle game that going to the final is an advantage. We will be eagerly watching (the Eliminator) and hopefully we can be at our best on Sunday. They are two teams who have match-winners and have played some good cricket. Will be nice to watch that.

Beth Mooney, Gujarat Giants captain: We were outplayed in all facets. Did not get off to a great start with the bat and then gave away too many runs too early. We have to try and take back as many positives as we can (from the season). We have had some good individual performances that have allowed us to win a couple (of matches). Probably missing one or two types of players, an all-rounder and a bowler. Kashvee got ruled out. Mannat and TK (Tanuja Kanwar) were good, Wolvaardt was good at the top of the order too. (On Shabnam Shakil) She is a great player and a good kid too. Always has a smile on her face and has a great attitude. One of those who want to try their hardest, and I am sure she has a bright future, not sure if I will like facing her too much (smiles). (On the next season) We might have to look at a different captain next year, haven't done a heap (smiles). We have the right people around us, and maybe if we do a few different things, we can perform better.

Shikha Pandey: We are all ecstatic. The kind of work the think-tank have put in to have this balance (in our team), it is outstanding. We have horses for courses, to make the most of different types of wickets. We share a great camaraderie. For example, we pacers keep talking to each other on what will work. JJ (Jess Jonassen) has been working alongside the spinners, talking to them throughout the game. We (bowling group) are a very close-knit group. The players we have are so experienced. It is not just them learning from us, but we also learn a lot from them (the youngsters). We talk to each other about the plans we are executing. We are really happy when Shafali is batting that way. The bowler inside us does feel bad for the opposition. If she keeps going, no total is safe. We have to still bowl to her in the nets, and she does not let us finish our follow-through (laughs).

10:05pm Wow, what a statement by the Capitals. The sort of statement you expect from a team that is going to play the game that matters this season. There was a wobble early, with Lanning and Capsey falling close to each other. Shafali, though, tore into the Giants after that, smashing 71 off 37. She hit the ball to all parts and her onslaught against Gardner, in particular, was a sight to behold. Rodrigues also continued her fine form, remaining unbeaten on 38 and landing the final blow.

This game, as blunt as it might sound, summed up the Giants' campaign. They did not have many runs on the board, and could not apply enough pressure in the chase. Their lines and lengths were not great either, and after how this campaign has transpired, they might perhaps be happy that this season is now over.

Kapp is the new batter. At the non-striker's end for now. Mannat to bowl what should be the last over of this game

Just three needed. Can Shafali finish it this over?

Keeper is up to the stumps, by the way

Meghna back into the attack

Mannat goes over the wicket