Delhi Capitals Edge Out Mumbai Indians in Thrilling WPL 2025 Opener
In an exciting match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, Delhi Capitals secured a narrow victory against Mumbai Indians by two wickets on Saturday, February 15, at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. Mumbai, batting first, was bowled out for 164 runs in just 19.1 overs, with standout performances from Annabel Sutherland, who took 3 wickets for 34 runs, and Shikha Pandey, who claimed 2 wickets for just 14 runs.
Nat Sciver-Brunt delivered a powerful performance for Mumbai, scoring an impressive 80 not out off 59 balls, including 13 fours. However, in an electrifying chase, Delhi managed to reach the target with a dramatic finish, winning on the very last ball of the match. Arundhati Reddy faced a tense run-out moment but made it to the crease just in time to secure the win for her team.
Delhi’s innings started with explosive energy as Shafali Verma took charge, aggressively attacking the Mumbai bowlers. She launched a massive six on her second ball and continued her onslaught with four successive boundaries off Saika Ishaque, scoring 43 runs off just 18 deliveries.
However, Mumbai fought back as Hayley Matthews caught Shafali at mid-wicket. Soon after, Shabnim Ismail bowled out Delhi’s captain, Meg Lanning, leaving them in a tight spot at 60 for 2 after only 6.1 overs.
As the innings progressed, Amelia Kerr and Nat Sciver-Brunt added more pressure on Delhi by taking two quick wickets, leaving the team struggling at 76 for 4. Alice Capsey and Niki Prasad steadied the ship for Delhi with a valuable partnership, keeping their hopes alive.
Despite losing Capsey, Sarah Bryce stepped in and quickly scored 21 runs off 10 balls to bring Delhi closer to the finish line. Just when it seemed Delhi was in control, Hayley Matthews’s wicket of Bryce turned the tide again, leaving Delhi with a tense final stretch.
With only one recognized batter left, Niki Prasad took charge and brought the team down to a nail-biting finish, needing just two runs off the last two balls. Her dismissal on the second-to-last ball made for an uncertain situation. But Reddy dived to finish the run just in time, sealing Delhi’s victory by two wickets.
Earlier in the day, Mumbai faced a rocky start, losing Hayley Matthews in the very first over to Shikha Pandey. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Yatika Bhatia tried to stabilize the innings, forming a short partnership before Bhatia was bowled out.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined Sciver-Brunt and the duo created a powerful alliance, scoring 73 runs off just 40 balls. However, once Kaur fell for 42 runs, Mumbai struggled to find support for Sciver-Brunt, who remained unbeaten with her impressive score of 80. Ultimately, Mumbai was all out for 164 runs.
Delhi Capitals’ thrilling win marks a significant start to their WPL 2025 campaign, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.
