'What striking' - Netizens react as Delhi Capitals' top-order batters go bonkers to post 223-2 in campaign opener

The second match of the highly anticipated Women's Premier League saw the Delhi Capitals post a mammoth total of 223 runs, the second-highest in a women's T20 match, against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Much like the first innings of the tournament opener, Meg Lanning's Delhi Capitals took full toll on the batting-friendly conditions on offer and some lacklustre bowling at the Brabourne Stadium.

Smriti Mandhana won the toss and surprised a fair few after electing to bowl first on a batting paradise in Mumbai. Meg Lanning and her young opening partner Shafali Verma needed no second invitation as both batters cut loose after the five-over mark in the match. The floodgates opened for the Delhi side when RCB's final over of the powerplay went for 20 runs.

It was absolute carnage from both the openers as they raced towards their respective half-centuries. The explosive batting duo went on to add 162 runs in just 87 deliveries for the first wicket, smashing the RCB bowlers to all parts to the ground. Both batters were looking well set to breach the three-figure mark before Heather Knight dismissed both openers in the space of three deliveries. 

Marizanne Kapp and Jemimah Rodrigues' explosive partnership added the finishing gloss

The Bangalore-based outfit were looking to claw their way back into the game after the twin strikes off Knight's 15th over, but there was no stopping the Delhi Capitals as veteran South African batter Marizanne Kapp continued the assault from her end. Kapp added 60 runs with Jemimah Rodrigues in just 31 deliveries as Delhi finished with a daunting total of 223 runs after their allocated 20 overs, the highest score in the tournament so far.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the carnage from the Delhi Capitals' batters against RCB:

Mohandas Menon@mohanstatsman

In 2008 - 1st #IPL match: KKR 222/3 & RCB 82 In 2023 - 1st #WPL match: MI-W 207/5 & GG-W 64 In 2008 - 2nd IPL match: CSK 240/4 & KXIP 207/4 In 2023 - 2nd WPL match: DC-W 223/2 & RCB-W ? #WPL2023 #DCvRCB #RCBvDC #TATAWPL

05:08 PM · Mar 05, 2023

91

Women's Premier League (WPL)@wplt20

.@TheShafaliVerma smacked a cracking 84(45) for @DelhiCapitals and was our Top Performer from the first innings in the #RCBvDC game! Take a look at her batting summary 🔽 #TATAWPL

05:07 PM · Mar 05, 2023

724

Abhishek Kumar@abhishek_itmi

DC - 223/2 20 Overs Nothing has changed #RCB #RCBvDC

05:10 PM · Mar 05, 2023

10

Mufaddal Vohra@mufaddal_vohra

RCB in the first match of: IPL: - Conceded 222/3 Vs KKR. WPL: - Conceded 223/2 Vs Delhi Capitals.

05:04 PM · Mar 05, 2023

3K280

GMR SPORTS@sports_gmr

.@TheShafaliVerma took the 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒓 𝑴𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒂 tag a bit too seriously 😋 A splendid knock in her 1⃣st game for Delhi Capitals at the #TATAWPL 👊 #RCBvDC #CapitalsUniverse #GMRSports #GMRGroup

05:10 PM · Mar 05, 2023

00

The Bharat Army@thebharatarmy

🔥🤩 CAN RCB CHASE THIS DOWN? The Delhi batters went on a rampage with the bat today, setting a huge target for their opponents! 👏 Excellent finish from Jemimah & Kapp! 📷 BCCI • #WPL #TATAWPL #WPL2023 #TeamIndia #BharatArmy

05:06 PM · Mar 05, 2023

832

Aakash Chopra@cricketaakash

Lanning and Shafali for #DC. What striking. Yeah…ordinary bowling effort by #RCB too… There was scepticism about power hitting in #WPL and the first two games have put that doubt to bed. 👏👏 #TATAWPLonJioCinema @JioCinema #AakashVani

04:48 PM · Mar 05, 2023

40010

DK@DineshKarthik

Another Indian absolutely standing out. This is some serious hitting by @TheShafaliVerma Wowww. Huge sixes and her leg side play is so strong #WPL2023

04:27 PM · Mar 05, 2023

1.5K41

Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻‍💻@lav_narayanan

It's not a fun tournament if RCB has it easy. Come on. #WPL2023 | #TATAWPL

05:15 PM · Mar 05, 2023

120