PC: Source
Twitter was set ablaze with appreciation as Sajana Sajeevan showcased remarkable composure to steer the defending champions to victory in a nail-biting opener against DC in the WPL 2024.
The second edition of the tournament commenced with a riveting clash, mirroring the inaugural edition’s final. The face-off lived up to expectations, delivering all the excitement and drama one could hope for in setting the tone for this year’s tournament.
Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur, having won the toss, elected to bowl first against the Delhi Capitals led by Meg Lanning. The Capitals set a challenging target of 172 runs, thanks to stellar performances from Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Meg Lanning. In response, Yastika Bhatia and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur led the Mumbai Indians’ charge. However, the match seemed to slip away from their grasp after Harmanpreet Kaur’s departure in the penultimate ball of the run chase.
With 5 runs needed off the last ball, Sajana Sajeevan, a rising star from Wayanad, Kerala, stepped up to bat. Making her WPL debut, she displayed nerves of steel as she confidently moved down the track, smashing the ball over the ropes for a maximum. This last-ball heroics sealed the victory for the defending champions in a tense contest. Twitter erupted with praise for the 29-year-old, acknowledging her ability to hold her nerve under immense pressure.
Sajana’s stunning finish did not go unnoticed by the opposition, with Jemimah Rodrigues, India’s middle-order stalwart, taking to her Instagram story to commend the debutant. Rodrigues wrote, “The result was not what we hoped for, but what a finish by Sajju, the debutant! Coming from a humble background, having faced adversity in the Kerala floods, she walks in when the team requires 1 ball and 5 runs, effortlessly hitting a six! What a story and, moreover, what a player!”
SAJANA SANJEEVAN: Mumbai Indians last ball savior 🏏✨
— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) February 23, 2024
➡️ Daughter of an auto-rickshaw driver, played with only plastic and coconut padal bats uptil the age of 18
➡️ KCA Player of the year for 2015 and 2017 led Kerala to their first ever All India title in 2018
➡️ Only the… pic.twitter.com/nIz7fdFnIS
Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur also lauded Sajana through her Instagram story, stating, “The intent is clear! What a match-winning shot. More power to you, girl.” The appreciation pouring in from both peers and rivals speaks volumes about the impact of Sajana Sajeevan’s stellar performance in the tournament opener.
