Women’s T20 Challenge 2019: Velocity enters final at the cost of losing

The league stage of the Women’s T20 Challenge 2019 culminated yesterday at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. Mithali Raj’s side, Velocity, ended up on the losing side by 12 runs but they managed to secure their place in the final of the showpiece event. The final will be played between the same two teams, Supernova and Velocity, on 11th May (Saturday).

Coming into this encounter, Harmanpreet Kaur’s Supernova team had to win to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive. Velocity, on the other hand, had a victory in their account and just needed to edge out Trailblazers on the net run rate to qualify for the next stage. Mithali won the toss and inserted Supernova to bat first.

Jemimah puts on a scintillating show

With openers, Priya Puniya and Chamari Athapaththu, setting up a good platform, Supernovas enjoyed a stable beginning. Jemimah Rodrigues came out to bat at number three in the fifth over and started controlling the game. The Mumbai girl was leading run-scorer in her partnerships with Athapaththu (55 runs for 2nd wicket) and Sophie Devine (50 runs for 3rd wicket).

Have heard so much about @JemiRodrigues and awesome to watch her play those drives #class #multisport and no surprise when internet search reveals she is also a top hockey player #hockeytoo #T20challenge

— Jonty Rhodes (@JontyRhodes8) May 9, 2019

In the blazing knock of 77 from just 48 balls, Jemimah struck 10 boundaries and a six. The performance was lauded by many former cricketers around the world. With her scoring more than half of the team runs, Supernovas finished with 142/3 on the board at the end of 20 overs. Legspinner Amelia Kerr (4-0-21-2) was the pick of the bowlers for Velocity.

Velocity accelerates and decelerates

The team lost its 15-year talent, Shafali Varma, in the third over. Hayley Matthew tried her best to up the ante but was trapped in front of the stumps by a wonderful swerving delivery from Anuja Patil. Mithali Raj now joined Danielle Wyatt at the crease. Runs kept coming at a fair click with these two batting in their own style.

When Wyatt was bowled by Poonam Yadav for 43(33), Velocity needed 66 runs to win from 51 balls. Another target on their mind was 117 which was just 40 runs away at this stage. Velocity preferred to follow the lower target and clinch a place in the final rather than going after the win. Mithali and Veda Krishnamurthy adopted a cautious approach and ensured a spot in the final. However, the team fell short by 12 runs and ended up on the losing side.