HYDERABAD: Railways scored a hard-fought threewicket victory over a fighting Delhi in the final to retain the National Women’s Cricket Championship title at Gymkhana grounds here on Wednesday.
“It was a close match,’’ admitted Railways skipper Mithali Raj.
After restricting Delhi to 155/8 in 50 overs, Railways struggled before squeezing home in 47.4 overs.
In Delhi’s innings, India’s left-handed opener Anjum Chopra played a steady knock of 51 (92b, 5x4) to keep the Railway bowlers at bay. However, she did not get support from other batswomen, who fell to poor shot selections.
For Railways, medium pacers Amita Sharma and Rumeli Dhar bagged two wickets apiece.
Chasing a modest target, Railways lost opener Sulakshana Naik (3) and skipper Mithali Raj (9). Sulakshana was lbw while the world number one batswoman Mithali was caught behind.
Babita Mandlik (38 of 56 balls) and Hemalatha (32) put on 79 for the third wicket to rescue Railways. Delhi made a comeback of sorts when Railways were reduced to 116/5. But Rumeli Dhar (28) and Priyanka Roy (20 not out) batted steadily to steer Railways to victory.