Delhi Capitals Head Coach Jonathan Batty expressed disappointment late Friday after his team lost in their fourth consecutive WPL final. DC came close to securing their first title but fell short again.
Batty said:
“Having played so well in the Eliminator earlier in the week, and coming into this game with momentum, and then putting a really good score on the board. I was proud of the way we went about our business with the bat.”
DC’s Performance in the Match
DC set a target of 203 runs, showing they could score rather than just defend their wicket, despite their five previous wins implying differently. After a solid partnership of 165 runs from 92 balls between Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll, DC faced a tense moment that escalated into near panic.
Batty mentioned that after 20 overs, they had a good score but felt disappointed with the final result, praising RCB for their performance, especially the innings from Georgia Voll and Smriti Mandhana.
As DC needed 13 runs off eight balls, a dropped catch by Minnu Mani gave Radha Yadav a second chance, which proved crucial. Following the dismissals of Mandhana and Richa Ghosh, Radha hit two boundaries in the final over, securing the win for RCB.
Batty noted that the team showed pride in their effort, even as the game started to slip away. Reaching the final and losing with just two balls left demonstrated their strong fight. The match encapsulated the season, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses.
He praised Jemimah Rodrigues for her first season as DC captain, acknowledging her growth and contribution throughout the tournament. He remarked:
“I’m hugely proud of Jemi. Particularly after losing the first couple of games, she was under pressure, but she brought her energy and experience. She made great decisions as captain, and her leadership improved as we progressed. I’m excited to see her continue to grow.”
Looking back, Batty questioned whether different bowling strategies could have changed the outcome, suggesting that bringing Marizanne Kapp in earlier might have been helpful. By the time she bowled, RCB needed 54 runs off 36 balls with nine wickets in hand.
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Batty remarked:
“We’ve used her throughout the tournament to break partnerships, but on a good pitch, it was tough. Those two batters played exceptionally well. If a batter makes a mistake, it opens the door for us, but they didn’t. I’m proud of how our bowling unit performed throughout the tournament.”
He acknowledged the frustration of losing in the final moments of the match, especially after the team’s efforts.
Batty candidly admitted he didn’t know what the specific formula was for DC to finally win a WPL final. He said with a resigned tone:
“Well, the common denominator is we keep losing. I’m proud of our consistency. If we keep reaching the finals, one day we will win. I genuinely thought today was our day.”
Despite the loss, Batty highlighted some positives, particularly uncapped bowler Nandani Sharma, who finished with 17 wickets, tying for the highest in the season. He expressed his pride in her efforts, saying:
“She has been fantastic. From day one, her energy and skill have been impressive. She’s committed to improving her skills and is eager to learn. I’m really proud of her performance this season.”
