Women's DPL 2026: East Delhi Riders down Central Delhi Queens by 19 runs
Synopsis
East Delhi Riders outclassed Central Delhi Queens in every department at Arun Jaitley Stadium — Pragya Rawat's 70* and Simran Bahadur's 60* set up 174, then Purva Siwach's 4/24 dismantled the chase. Deeksha Sharma's lone 86 off 51 wasn't enough. A complete team performance that underlines the Riders' title credentials in the Women's DPL 2026.
Key Takeaways
East Delhi Riders beat Central Delhi Queens by 19 runs in the Women's DPL 2026 on 23 August at Arun Jaitley Stadium .
Pragya Rawat scored an unbeaten 70 off 55 balls and Simran Bahadur hit 60* off 36 balls to power Riders to 174/2 .
Deeksha Sharma blazed 86 off 51 balls for the Queens but lacked support; they finished at 155/7 .
Purva Siwach was the pick of the bowlers with 4/24 in 4 overs ; Bharti Rawal took 2/33 .
The Arun Jaitley Stadium is also set to host international fixtures between India and Afghanistan .
East Delhi Riders delivered a commanding all-round display to beat Central Delhi Queens by 19 runs in the women's edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, on Sunday, 23 August. Defending a total of 174/2, the Riders restricted the Queens to 155/7 in 20 overs to seal a convincing victory.
Riders Build a Formidable Total
Put in to bat, East Delhi Riders rode on two unbeaten partnerships to post 174/2. Pragya Rawat anchored the innings with a composed 70 not out off 55 balls, laced with eight boundaries. Simran Bahadur provided the late acceleration, smashing an unbeaten 60 off 36 balls — including seven fours and a six — to push the total beyond reach. Vanshika Lila also chipped in with a brisk 30 off 22 balls, ensuring the Riders closed strongly.
Deeksha Sharma Fights Alone for the Queens
Central Delhi Queens began their chase positively, with the top order constructing a solid platform and crossing the 120-run mark. However, it was Deeksha Sharma who carried the fight almost single-handedly, blazing 86 off just 51 balls — a knock that kept the equation alive deep into the innings. Her ability to find the boundary regularly gave the Queens a fighting chance.
The middle and lower order, however, could not sustain the required run rate. Monika contributed 14 off 11 balls, while Nidhi Mahto and Medhavi Bidhuri added 6 apiece. Riya Kondal fell for 2, and the innings closed at 155/7 with Soni Yadav unbeaten on 1 and R Priyadarshini unbeaten on 0.
Purva Siwach Leads the Bowling Attack
Purva Siwach was the standout performer with the ball, returning figures of 4/24 in 4 overs — a spell that effectively ended the chase. Bharti Rawal supported well with 2/33, while Simran Bahadur added a wicket to complement her batting heroics. The Riders maintained their discipline in the closing overs, denying the Queens the boundary count they desperately needed.
Significance and What's Next
The match was played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, which is also scheduled to host international fixtures between India and Afghanistan. The women's DPL continues to grow as a platform for emerging Delhi talent, and performances like those of Rawat, Bahadur, and Siwach will sharpen the spotlight on domestic women's cricket in the capital. The result keeps East Delhi Riders in strong contention as the tournament progresses.
Point of View
But the Women's DPL 2026 exposed a recurring vulnerability in the Queens' batting depth — one big performer surrounded by a middle order that couldn't convert starts. For East Delhi Riders, the double contribution from Simran Bahadur — 60* with the bat and a wicket with the ball — is the kind of match-winning flexibility that wins tournaments. Purva Siwach's 4/24 also signals that the Riders have a genuine strike bowler, a commodity that is often the difference between contenders and champions in T20 cricket.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Women's DPL 2026 match between East Delhi Riders and Central Delhi Queens?
East Delhi Riders won the match by 19 runs. They posted 174/2 and restricted Central Delhi Queens to 155/7 in 20 overs at Arun Jaitley Stadium on 23 August.
Who were the top performers for East Delhi Riders?
Pragya Rawat top-scored with an unbeaten 70 off 55 balls, while Simran Bahadur hit 60* off 36 balls. With the ball, Purva Siwach was outstanding with figures of 4/24 in 4 overs.
How did Deeksha Sharma perform for Central Delhi Queens?
Deeksha Sharma was the standout batter for the Queens, scoring a brilliant 86 off just 51 balls. Despite her efforts, the rest of the batting lineup could not provide adequate support to complete the chase.
Where was the Women's DPL 2026 match played?
The match was played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, a venue also scheduled to host international fixtures between India and Afghanistan.
What was Central Delhi Queens' target and why did they fall short?
Central Delhi Queens needed 175 runs to win. While they crossed 120 without major trouble, wickets falling at regular intervals in the middle and lower order prevented them from sustaining the required scoring rate, leaving them 19 runs short at 155/7.
