Shafali Verma and Niki Prasad star as DC seal last-ball thriller

It came down to two off the last ball and Arundhati Reddy had to put in a dive to make her ground and seal the win

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

In a nail-biting encounter in WPL 2025, Delhi Capitals (DC) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by two wickets in a dramatic finish. Despite a challenging target of 165 set by MI, DC managed to reach the target off the last ball, with a crucial dive by Arundhati Reddy securing the winning runs. The victory was sealed with just two runs needed off the final two balls.

Match Summary:

• Delhi Capitals: 165/8 (Shafali Verma 43, Niki Prasad 35, Amelia Kerr 2/22, Hayley Matthews 2/31)
• Mumbai Indians: 164 (Nat Sciver-Brunt 80*, Harmanpreet Kaur 42, Annabel Sutherland 3/34, Shikha Pandey 2/14)

Key Highlights:

• Dramatic Last Over: DC required 10 runs off the final over, and after losing key wickets, it all came down to the last ball. Niki Prasad’s 35-run contribution, along with Arundhati Reddy’s last-ball dive, clinched the win for DC.
• Controversial Run-Outs: Three crucial run-out decisions, all reviewed by the third umpire, played a pivotal role in the match’s outcome.
  • Shikha Pandey’s run-out: Pandey was adjudicated not out despite the stumps lighting up as she dived.
  • Radha Yadav’s close call: Radha was initially given not out in the 19th over, with her bat suspended in the air during the run-out attempt.
  • Final Run-out Decision: On the last ball of the game, Reddy’s dive ensured she made her ground, and the third umpire gave her not out, sparking wild celebrations for DC.

Mumbai Indians’ Struggles and Sciver-Brunt’s Heroes:

• Sciver-Brunt’s Effort: Nat Sciver-Brunt anchored MI’s innings with a brilliant 80 off 59 balls*, while Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a fiery 42 off 22 balls.
• Despite the solid start, MI lost 7 wickets for 35 runs, and the middle order collapsed, struggling against tight bowling from Annabel Sutherland (3/34) and Shikha Pandey (2/14).

Shafali Verma’s Explosive Start for Delhi Capitals:

• Shafali’s Powerplay: Shafali Verma’s 43 off 18 balls set the tone for DC’s chase, hammering 60 runs in the powerplay. Her aggressive hitting, including a massive six and four consecutive boundaries off Saika Ishaque, gave DC the momentum in the early overs.
• Despite her fiery start, DC soon lost four wickets for just 16 runs, making the chase more challenging as they were left needing 56 from 31 balls with five wickets down.

Key Performances in the Chase:

• Niki Prasad’s calm presence: On her WPL debut, Prasad kept her composure, steering DC through the tense moments. She played an essential role in managing the lower order, bringing DC closer to the target.
• Sarah Bryce’s Impact: Another WPL debutant, Sarah Bryce, played a quick cameo, scoring 21 off 10 balls, including a six, before she was dismissed.

Mumbai Indians’ Bowling Performance:

• Shabnim Ismail’s Early Breakthroughs: Ismail was a constant threat, making Meg Lanning struggle and claiming two wickets in her spell.
• Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews: Although both spinners provided key breakthroughs, the MI bowlers couldn’t halt DC’s momentum, especially during the chase’s latter stages.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s Assault:

• Harmanpreet’s Power: After a slow start, Harmanpreet Kaur shifted gears with a brutal assault on the bowlers. She smashed a six over long-off off a free-hit and followed it with another six over long-on.
• She also reached a milestone of 8,000 T20 runs, but her aggression was short-lived as she handed a catch to Prasad.

Closing Collapse of MI’s Innings:

• Sciver-Brunt’s Lone Fight: Sciver-Brunt held MI’s innings together as the middle and lower order crumbled. Despite scoring a half-century off 36 balls, she couldn’t save MI from the collapse, which saw them lose their last seven wickets for just 35 runs.
• MI’s tailenders attempted to keep the strike with Sciver-Brunt, but after several dismissals, including run-outs, their innings ended at 164, falling short of a competitive total.

Conclusion:

Delhi Capitals’ thrilling win over Mumbai Indians highlighted the excitement and unpredictability of WPL 2025. Despite the pressure of chasing a challenging target, Shafali Verma’s fiery start and Niki Prasad’s composure guided DC to victory. Key moments such as the controversial run-out decisions and the collapse of MI’s middle order played a major role in the outcome, making it one of the most intense matches of the season so far.

With this thrilling win, DC not only managed to secure vital points but also displayed resilience under pressure, making them a strong contender in the tournament.