Lizelle Lee\u2019s (67) commanding strokeplay, backed by Shafali Verma\u2019s (36) all-round impact, laid the foundation for Delhi Capitals\u2019 first win under captain Jemimah Rodrigues, as they survived another last-over scare. Lanning acknowledged Delhi Capitals\u2019 smart use of slower balls while lauding her team\u2019s fight until the very end.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I thought it was an excellent effort from our bowlers to pull it back and take the game right down to the final ball. It definitely became harder to bat first, especially once the pace was taken off the ball. That was something we learned from how the Delhi Capitals bowled, and I thought they executed that plan extremely well. We always felt we were in the game if we could bowl well, and the team deserves a lot of credit for fighting it out until the very end,\" said UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Lanning had lost the toss and led her team best with 54 runs while Harleen Deol scored 47 runs off 36 balls. The UP captain was pleased to contribute runs at the top but admitted she would have liked to bat longer, expressing hope of building on the innings in the matches to come.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"It was nice personally to get a few runs and contribute. I would\u2019ve liked to keep going a bit longer, but it always feels good to put something on the board for the team. Hopefully, there are a few more of those to come.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
UP Warriorz\u2019 head coach Abhishek Nayar made a mistake by retiring Deol after the 17th over of the game. That decision ultimately backfired spectacularly, as UP leapt into a massive collapse after that point and did not have strong enough momentum to generate enough runs to be competitive. Lanning explained the tactical thinking behind Deol\u2019s retirement, stating the decision was aimed at maximising the death overs and, while it did not work on the night, remained one she stood by in the team\u2019s best interests.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"On Deol\u2019s retirement, there was definitely a method behind that decision. With the death overs coming up, we felt we needed to maximise that phase. Deol batted extremely well, but it was getting tougher out there, and we felt she had got a little stuck towards the end - something I experienced as well. These decisions are always about what\u2019s best for the team. I stand by it - it didn\u2019t work today, but sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn\u2019t.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She clarified that Dottin\u2019s absence was a purely tactical call, made to suit specific match-ups, and felt Chloe Tryon fulfilled her role effectively in her first WPL appearance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Deandra Dottin's absence was purely a tactical call. We felt Chloe Tryon was a good match-up against one of Delhi\u2019s batters, and I thought she did her role really well in her first game of the WPL. That was the balance we felt suited this game best.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She clarified that Dottin\u2019s absence was a purely tactical call, made to suit specific match-ups, and felt Chloe Tryon fulfilled her role effectively in her first WPL appearance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"There\u2019s not much time to dwell on this with another game coming up quickly, and that\u2019s probably a good thing. There are plenty of positives to take from tonight, along with areas we know we need to improve. We\u2019ll take confidence from how we finished the game and look forward to tomorrow against the Mumbai Indians, who have some world-class players. We\u2019re really excited for that challenge.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n