They may have lost the first game by a whisker, but boy, the Supernovas sure do know how to entertain.
This time, it wasn’t skipper Harmanpreet Kaur who stole the show, but the young Jemimah Rodrigues, who propelled the Supernovas to a modest total against Velocity that ultimately proved enough to secure their place in the final.
It was a comfortable win for Harmanpreet’s girls on Thursday, May 9, as Velocity fell 12 short of the target, chasing at snail’s pace – in direct contrast to their team name. What could have been a straightforward chase turned into a crawl as Velocity lost the plot, and the game. They, however, qualified for the final on the basis of a better net run rate than the Trailblazers.
What’s hot
Role Reversal: @Danni_Wyatt invites @JemiRodrigues to Jemi's Bouncers!
Don't miss the rivalry, banter as Danni speaks of her joyful Jaipur experience. She's the latest overseas pro to give Hindi a shot on the show! By @Moulinparikh & @tanmoym. #WIPL
📹 – https://t.co/0PQK80f4oL pic.twitter.com/BQTFISoDM5
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 10, 2019
Jemimah Rodrigues. The teenager has once again shown that she is a superstar by lighting up the tournament with a superb display of batting. She was solid in her first game, cracking four fours in her knock of 24, but really came to the party last night, when she smashed a 48-ball 77*. It almost looked like she was batting on different surface altogether, as everyone around her struggled to get going. The 18-year-old is already averaging over 100 in the tournament and looks determined to overshadow her more experienced counterparts.
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What’s not
Playing for the net run rate. After Danielle Wyatt’s dismissal in the 12th over, Velocity, who needed 66 to win in 51 balls, threw away the chase by adopting an overtly cautious approach. In essence, they were content to simply get the minimum runs required for them to go through to the final on the basis of their net run rate rather than pushing for the win, despite being in a position to do so. As a result, they ended up limping through the remaining overs.
The two teams will meet again on May 11. Live action starts at 7.30 PM IST.#WIPL pic.twitter.com/3NQVfbpJAl
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 9, 2019
Both Mithali Raj (40*) and Veda Krishnamurthy (30*) shed their attacking instincts to score only two fours until they reached their qualification cut-off of 117 runs. It resulted in the required run-rate rising steeply and left Velocity with 25 to get off the last eight balls, which proved too much in the end.
What they said
“So, the plan was to target the final spot and everyone was aware of the plan.”
– Mithali Raj, the Velocity captain, defends her team’s decision to bat cautiously
What they didn’t say
“Gee, thanks! Can you do that again in the final, please?”
– Harmanpreet Kaur to Mithali Raj, after being handed a win by the opposition
What next
The team that's close to every super fan out there! As the #PrideOf19 takes on Delhi Capitals for a spot in the Grand Finale, bleed #Yellove and #WhistlePodu! #CSKvDC 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/LDFvptQBeM
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 10, 2019
The men are back on the field on Friday, as a juicy Qualifier 2 awaits. On the one hand, we have Chennai Super Kings, who thrive in these ‘do-or-die’ situations, much like their captain does, and on the other, there’s Delhi Capitals, who are looking to make their first IPL final.
