DC vs UPW, WPL Highlights: Delhi Capitals beat UP Warriorz to seal Eliminator spot

And then there were three - A journey that began on 9th January with 5 teams is now down to 3, with the Mumbai Indians and the UP Warriorz bowing out. This is the first time in WPL history that MI have failed to reach the playoffs, while UPW, who made the playoffs in the inaugural season, have missed out in each edition since. Up next is the Eliminator on Tuesday, 3rd February, where the Gujarat Giants will take on the Delhi Capitals here in Vadodara. The winner of that encounter will square off against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the summit clash on 5th February. The first ball of the Eliminator will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as always, you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye

Marizanne Kapp is the Player of the Match - While she was uncharacteristically expensive, Kapp picked up three crucial wickets, finishing with figures of 3/30 in her four overs. Marizanne admits it is difficult to be completely satisfied when one aspect of her game is not quite there, but says the win and qualification matter most. She is pleased to have contributed at an important moment and feels bowling later in the innings can work in her favour. Kapp adds that picking up early wickets in the powerplay gives any side a strong chance of winning, and she is happy to have made those breakthroughs. Believes that pressure is always there, especially as an international leading the bowling attack. While she may not have taken as many wickets as she would have liked earlier in the tournament, she stresses that as long as the team keeps winning, she is content.

The captain of the Delhi Capitals - Jemimah Rodrigues says that they were always assured that they were a good side. Adds that for today's game, everyone was calm. She mentions that T20 cricket is never easy for the bowlers and their bowlers have done well so far. Adds that they always stick to their strengths and ends by saying that it was all about winning today, and they never thought about the run rate.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

The head coach of the Delhi Capitals - Jonathan Batty smiles and says that his side has made hard work of a few run chases, but says he is really proud of the group. He highlights Jemimah Rodrigues’ outstanding season, noting how she has grown as a leader with every game and showed real leadership with the bat in this game. Batty reflects on a rollercoaster campaign where the team failed close out chases in a couple of games, but feels they have learned along the way. Shares that he is pleased to have qualified for the playoffs with a slightly different squad, pointing out that the core group has stood up at key moments. He adds that challenges are expected with a new captain in place and says that he is really proud of the group. On facing the Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator, he hopes that they are third time lucky against them.

The captain of the UP Warriorz - Meg Lanning says that they had some chances towards the end, but it was always difficult to defend 122. Adds that they lacked consistency and they failed to build partnerships, so it has been a disappointing season for them. She says that they had a low total to defend, so she used their best bowlers at the start. Ends by saying that she is still enjoying her cricket and she will be here next season as well.

UPW's batting effort - Earlier, after the toss went their way, DC could not have asked for a better start, with Meg Lanning falling on the very first ball of the game. Charli Knott and Deepti Sharma looked to throw caution to the wind, but their stays were cut short, and no partnership of substance developed. Losing three wickets inside the powerplay, UP Warriorz never quite recovered. A late cameo from Shikha Pandey helped the Warriorz scrape their way to 122.

DC overcame the wobble - Laura Wolvaardt struck a flurry of boundaries that helped set Delhi free, even as Shafali continued to search for fluency. With the Capitals seemingly in control at 84/1, a sudden wobble saw them slide to 101/5. What they needed were calm heads, and none was calmer than skipper Jemimah Rodrigues, who guided her side home with composure.

What might have been for the Warriorz - It was a laboured stay for Shafali Verma, while her opening partner Lizelle Lee could not make much of an impact. Powerplay bowling had been one of the concerns for UP Warriorz this season, but they were much improved on the night through Deandra Dottin and Shikha Pandey. One can only wonder how things might have unfolded had either of the two regulation chances offered by Laura Wolvaardt been taken, especially with Shafali struggling at the other end.

The Capitals are Eliminator-bound! Not the most convincing chase you will ever see, but one that gets the job done for the Delhi Capitals. It is unfamiliar territory for a side that has secured a direct berth to the final in each of the past three seasons, but they remain on course in their pursuit of a maiden title. With this result, the Mumbai Indians see their title defence come to an end, while Meg Lanning's UP Warriorz will finish at the bottom.

Deepti Sharma to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Jemimah Rodrigues takes the Delhi Capitals to the Eliminator of WPL! Flatter, just outside off, Jemimah Rodrigues takes a step forward and drives it in the gap through cover for a boundary. Delhi Capitals beat UP Warriorz by 5 wickets!

Deepti Sharma to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Scores are level now! Short ball, just outside off, Jemimah Rodrigues moves to her right and pulls it elegantly through backward square leg for a boundary. 

Deepti Sharma to Niki Prasad, Nice and full, on middle and leg, Niki Prasad nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Deepti Sharma to Niki Prasad, Quicker, on middle and leg, Niki Prasad blocks it to short mid-wicket.

Asha Sobhana to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Delhi Capitals are almost there! Just 6 needed now. Flatter, just outside off, Jemimah Rodrigues gets down on one knee and drives it magnificently over extra cover for a boundary.

Asha Sobhana to Jemimah Rodrigues, In the air... safe! Flighted up, outside off, Jemimah Rodrigues looks to drive it but gets it off the outer half. The ball lands safely over backward point. They collect two runs.

Asha Sobhana to Jemimah Rodrigues, Turn and bounce, just outside off, Jemimah Rodrigues gets low and looks to sweep it but misses. The keeper whips the bails off. The umpire goes upstairs to have a check. Ultra Edge shows a flat line and replays show that Jemimah Rodrigues' back leg was well inside the crease.

Asha Sobhana to Niki Prasad, Tossed up, just outside off, Niki Prasad punches it through cover for another single.

Asha Sobhana to Jemimah Rodrigues, Short, turning away, Jemimah Rodrigues waits for the ball and slaps it to extra cover for a run.

Asha Sobhana to Niki Prasad, Much fuller, just outside off, Niki Prasad knocks it through mid off for a single.

That will ease a bit of pressure off the Delhi Capitals. They need 15 off 18 balls. The leggie Asha Sobhana has been introduced into the attack.

Deepti Sharma to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Phew! That boundary has got the crowd back on their feet. Flatter, on middle and leg, Jemimah Rodrigues gets low and sweeps it in the gap through mid-wicket for a boundary. The dug out of the Delhi Capitals breathes a sigh of relief.

Deepti Sharma to Jemimah Rodrigues, Short again, on off, Jemimah Rodrigues makes room and pulls it to the right of long on for a brace. Jemimah Rodrigues holds the key now!

Deepti Sharma to Niki Prasad, Short, on middle and leg, Niki Prasad tucks it to square leg for a single.

Deepti Sharma to Niki Prasad, Fuller, on off, Niki Prasad pushes it back to the bowler.

UP Warriorz believe, and so do the Mumbai Indians. Niki Prasad walks out to bat.

Deepti Sharma to Chinelle Henry, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Stunning catch from Deepti Sharma. Flatter, on off, Chinelle Henry backs away and looks to slap it down the ground, but the ball stops on her. The ball goes back towards Deepti Sharma, who dives to her right and takes a stunning low catch. The game is still not over. Hang on, Mumbai Indians...

Deepti Sharma to Jemimah Rodrigues, Short, on off, Jemimah Rodrigues knocks it down the ground for a single.

Sophie Ecclestone to Jemimah Rodrigues, Flatter, outside off, Jemimah Rodrigues drives it to cover for a run. Hundred comes up for Delhi Capitals now!

Sophie Ecclestone to Chinelle Henry, Nice and full, on off, Chinelle Henry drives it to cover for a run.

Sophie Ecclestone to Chinelle Henry, Beaten again! Full again, outside off, Chinelle Henry lunges to drive it but misses.

Sophie Ecclestone to Chinelle Henry, Tossed up, full and outside off, Chinelle Henry looks to drive it but misses.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A couple of wickets for UP Warriorz, and they are still hanging in there. Delhi Capitals have struggled to close out chases on a couple of occasions this season, once needing 7 in the final over and another time needing 9, both instances coming against Gujarat Giants. Another wicket here would really turn the pressure up. They need calm heads out in the middle, and they have their skipper to guide them through. Jemimah Rodrigues is joined by Chinelle Henry.

Sophie Ecclestone to Marizanne Kapp, OUT! CAUGHT! Is there still life in this game? It is looking easy on paper but the Delhi Capitals are making it seem tough. Fuller, outside off, Marizanne Kapp gets down on one knee and looks to loft it. The ball is sliced towards mid off. Kranti Gaud settles under it and completes the catch. Marizanne Kapp departs for a duck. Delhi Capitals are now 98/4, needing 25 runs in 28 balls.

Sophie Ecclestone to Jemimah Rodrigues, Nice and full, just outside off, Jemimah Rodrigues pushes it to short cover for a quick single.

Shikha Pandey to Marizanne Kapp, Fuller and on middle, Kapp lunges and blocks it off.

Shikha Pandey to Marizanne Kapp, On top of off, this is angled to point from the crease.

Shikha Pandey to Marizanne Kapp, Lands it on a back of a length, on middle. Kapp tucks it to mid-wicket.

Shikha Pandey to Marizanne Kapp, On off, on a back of a length, Kapp taps it to cover.

Shafali Verma falls. Marizanne Kapp walks in to bat now.

Shikha Pandey to Shafali Verma, OUT! CAUGHT! Shafali Verma picks out the UP skipper. End of a scratchy stay for Verma. Pandey takes pace off and bowls it on a back of a length, outside off. Shafali hangs back and stays leg side of the ball. She looks to force it away on the off side. Fails to get any timing on the shot and hits it straight to cover-point, where Meg Lanning crouches and takes it around her waist. 29 (33) for Verma. Delhi Capitals are now 97/3, needing 26 runs in 34 balls.

Shikha Pandey to Jemimah Rodrigues, On a length, angled in, on off, Rodrigues pushes it to long on and crosses over.

Deandra Dottin to Jemimah Rodrigues, Sticks to the pace off option, full and outside off, Jemimah leans on and strokes it through covers for another single.

Deandra Dottin to Shafali Verma, Full and pace off, on off, Verma checks her drive and plays it to long off for one more.

Deandra Dottin to Jemimah Rodrigues, Short and wide on off, Rodrigues slams it hard to backward point, where Deepti Sharma gets her body behind the ball. She makes a half-stop and the batters cross for one.

Deandra Dottin to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough! Dottin bangs it into the deck. She fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter. Rodrigues nails the pull, hitting it aerially but wide of Sophie Ecclestone at mid-wicket to her right.

Deandra Dottin to Shafali Verma, Dottin tries to follow Verma. Slips in a low full toss, loopy slower ball. Shafali swats it to long leg for a single.

Deandra Dottin to Jemimah Rodrigues, On a hard length, on off, Jemimah slaps it to deep cover for a single.

Deepti Sharma to Jemimah Rodrigues, Full and outside off, Rodrigues drags the sweep in front of square and takes a single.

Deepti Sharma to Shafali Verma, Fuller and slower, on off, Verma sweeps it hard to deep mid-wicket and crosses over.