Delhi Capitals captain Jemimah Rodrigues has been slapped with a hefty fine of Rs 12 lakh for her team's slow over-rate during their Women's Premier League (WPL) clash against Gujarat Giants. The incident occurred at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium on Tuesday, where Delhi suffered a narrow three-run defeat in a thrilling encounter.
WPL Confirms Sanction Against Rodrigues
In an official statement released by the league, the WPL confirmed the disciplinary action against the Delhi skipper. "Jemimah Rodrigues, Captain of Delhi Capitals has been fined after her team maintained a slow over rate during their team's match against Gujarat Giants at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara on Tuesday," the statement read. The league clarified that since this was Rodrigues' first offence of the season under the WPL Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate violations, the penalty was set at INR 12 lakh.
Costly Defeat Impacts Playoff Race
The three-run loss proved particularly damaging for Delhi Capitals' playoff aspirations. The defeat caused them to slip to fourth position on the WPL points table, creating a tense battle for the crucial top-three spots. With six points and a net run rate of -0.164, Delhi now faces a must-win situation in their final league match against bottom-placed UP Warriorz on February 1.
Despite the disappointing result, Rodrigues highlighted the exceptional fighting spirit displayed by her teammates during the tense chase. "Firstly, the way Sneh Rana and Niki played, I have to give it to them. It was special," Rodrigues said in her post-match comments. "Such things happen, but it would have been nice had we finished on the right side of the finishing line."
Dramatic Finish and Playoff Implications
The match featured a remarkable seventh-wicket partnership of 70 runs between Sneh Rana (29 off 15 balls) and Niki Prasad (47 off 24 balls), which briefly revived Delhi's hopes during their chase of a challenging target. However, Gujarat Giants' Sophie Devine held her nerve in the final over, defending nine runs to secure a dramatic three-run victory and complete a season double over Delhi Capitals.
Looking ahead to their crucial final fixture, Rodrigues remained defiant about her team's playoff chances. "That game is going to be important. It will be important for us to regroup. We are still in the tournament, and we will keep fighting," the Delhi captain asserted, emphasizing her team's determination to secure a playoff berth despite the recent setback.
The Women's Premier League continues to deliver exciting cricket as teams battle for playoff positions in what has become one of the most competitive tournaments in women's cricket globally.
