WPL 2025: Shafali-Jonassen’s 146-run partnership propels RCB to a decisive 9-wicket defeat, DC clinches playoff position

Bengaluru, March 1 (NationPress) An impressive, unbeaten 146-run partnership between Shafali Varma and Jess Jonassen propelled the Delhi Capitals to a dominant nine-wicket victory over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), as they reached a score of 151/1 in just 15.3 overs, leaving 27 balls unused in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium this Saturday.

This triumph marks the Delhi Capitals, who are two-time finalists, as the first team to secure a playoff position in this tournament. Under the leadership of Meg Lanning, the team has reached the finals in both previous seasons and has solidified its path toward a third final with this emphatic win.

The 21-year-old Indian opener delivered a spectacular performance, scoring 80 runs off 43 balls with eight boundaries and four sixes. Meanwhile, Jonassen, the Australian sensation, who had moved up to No.3 in the previous match against the Gujarat Giants, followed up with her second consecutive half-century, amassing 61 runs in 38 balls.

The Delhi team exhibited no signs of fatigue, mirroring their promising display against the Mumbai Indians the day before. After limiting their opponents to 147/5 in the first innings, RCB made an early breakthrough by dismissing the formidable Meg Lanning in the third over, as she attempted a full-length delivery from Renuka Singh and was caught at mid-on by Perry.

However, the enthusiastic crowd at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, eager to witness a home victory, soon found themselves grounded by the brilliance of Shafali and Jonassen.

Shafali took charge early on, navigating a challenging opening spell and finding the boundary seven times during the power-play. Jonassen quickly joined in, hitting three fours off Perry in the tenth over. Jonassen was the first to reach fifty, doing so in just 30 balls, and Shafali followed suit in style, hitting a six off Georgia Wareham to achieve the milestone in 29 balls.

Delhi raced towards victory, with Shafali particularly eager to finish the match, ultimately claiming the win with 27 balls remaining.

In the first innings, Ellyse Perry stood out for RCB, scoring an elegant 60 while her teammates faltered in the death overs. The partnership between Raghvi Bist and Perry for the third wicket added 66 runs before debutant Nallapureddy Charani struck twice, halting the RCB innings and resulting in a total of 147/5, marking the home side’s fourth consecutive defeat.

Brief scores:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 147/5 in 20 overs (Ellyse Perry 60 not out, Raghvi Bist 33; Charani 2-28, Shikha Pandey 2-24) lost to Delhi Capitals 151/1 in 15.3 overs (Shafali Varma 80 not out, Jess Jonassen 61 not out, Renuka Singh 1-28) by nine wickets.