Delhi Capitals prevail in nail-biting chase

Delhi Capitals Secure Thrilling Two-Wicket Win Over Mumbai Indians in WPL 2025

In a captivating encounter in Vadodara, Delhi Capitals triumphed over Mumbai Indians by two wickets in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. This win marked the highest successful chase ever achieved by any team against Mumbai Indians in WPL history, further adding to the excitement of the season.

Key Highlights:

• Mumbai Indians’ Total: Mumbai posted a total of 164 runs, with Nat Sciver-Brunt leading the charge with an unbeaten 80 off 59 balls. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also contributed with a quick-fire 42 off 22 balls.
• Delhi Capitals’ Chase: Despite a strong start from Shafali Verma (42 off 18), Delhi’s chase went down to the wire, with two needed off the final ball. Radha Yadav and Arundhati Reddy executed a tense final pair to seal the victory with a brace on the last delivery.
• Early Breakthroughs: Shikha Pandey (2 for 14) was exceptional early on, claiming key wickets to leave Mumbai struggling at 42/2.
• Sciver-Brunt & Kaur’s Counterattack: Following the early setbacks, Sciver-Brunt and Kaur countered with attacking strokes, but a couple of key breakthroughs from Delhi slowed the momentum.
• Key Moments: The game saw a couple of controversial run-out decisions, including a crucial non-dismissal of Radha Yadav, which ultimately helped DC keep their hopes alive.

Detailed Match Breakdown:

Mumbai Indians’ Innings: Mumbai’s innings began on a shaky note with Shikha Pandey dismissing both openers, Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia, early in the game. However, Sciver-Brunt’s explosive batting alongside Kaur’s powerful strokes brought MI back into the contest. The duo added significant runs to lift Mumbai to a competitive total, with Kaur hitting powerful sixes and Sciver-Brunt playing an array of deft shots.

Despite the partnership, Delhi fought back. Annabel Sutherland dismissed Kaur, and a piece of luck followed when Sciver-Brunt’s drive was deflected off the bowler’s follow-through to run out Amelia Kerr. Mumbai’s lower order crumbled, with Alice Capsey dismissing Amanjot Kaur, leaving Sciver-Brunt stranded as the innings closed on 164 in 19.1 overs.

Delhi Capitals’ Chase: Delhi Capitals started their chase aggressively, with Shafali Verma leading the charge. Her 42 runs off 18 balls included four boundaries and a six, taking the chase off to a blazing start. However, Mumbai struck back with quick wickets. Matthews dismissed Shafali, and Ismail took the crucial wicket of Meg Lanning. A flurry of wickets followed, with Delhi suddenly at 66/3.

Niki Prasad (35 off 33) and Alice Capsey contributed valuable runs, but Mumbai’s bowlers began to tighten their grip. It was Sarah Bryce’s cameo (21 off 10 balls) that provided the much-needed impetus, including a big six against Sciver-Brunt. As the asking rate escalated, the game took a dramatic turn with two crucial run-out referrals.

Final Moments: With 16 needed off 7 balls, Radha Yadav hit a crucial six, reducing the equation to 10 needed from the final over. Prasad’s miscued shot left DC with two runs to get from the last two balls. Reddy, under immense pressure, managed to complete the chase with a vital dive after a sliced shot cleared the fielder at extra cover.

Match Summary:

• Mumbai Indians: 164 in 19.1 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 80*, Harmanpreet Kaur 42; Shikha Pandey 2-14)
• Delhi Capitals: 165-8 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 43, Niki Prasad 35; Amelia Kerr 2-21)
  Delhi Capitals won by 2 wickets.

This thrilling encounter once again highlighted the unpredictable nature of WPL 2025, where every ball counts and no match is truly over until the last delivery.