WPL 2025: Delhi Capitals Triumph Over Mumbai in Nail-Biting Finish

Vadodara, Feb 15 (NationPress) Arundhati Reddy held her nerve to loft the ball over cover for two runs, enabling Delhi Capitals (DC) to achieve a thrilling two-wicket victory against the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the second match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) Season 3 at the Kotambi Stadium here on Saturday.

The match was filled with excitement — featuring an excellent performance from Nat Sciver-Brunt, a strong start by opener Shafali Verma, a steady showing from debutant Niki Prasad, and a nail-biting finish where Arundhati clinched the win for Delhi Capitals, reminiscent of the finale from the 2023 edition.

Questions will arise regarding the final decision — should the TV umpire have zoomed in more? Should the lighting-up of the bails count, or is it considered out only when they completely dislodge? These discussions will persist, but they shouldn't overshadow what was an exhilarating game.

Previously, Mumbai Indians, after being put in to bat, were confined to 164 all out in 19.1 overs, even with Natalie Sciver-Brunt leading with a dazzling unbeaten score of 80 off 59 balls. The English all-rounder took control of the innings following an early wobble and showcased her prowess with an impressive range of shots. She found a reliable partner in skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored a pivotal 42 off 22 balls, helping stabilize the innings after an early setback where MI fell to 32/2.

However, Mumbai faltered again after Harmanpreet was dismissed. Sciver-Brunt, however, remained undeterred, providing a late surge and dispatching the Delhi bowlers all over the field. Despite her efforts, MI struggled to maintain their wickets, with Annabel Sutherland (3/34) and Shikha Pandey (2/14) leading the Delhi bowling attack. Ultimately, Mumbai's innings concluded with 164 runs on the board, a total that seemed slightly below par on a good batting pitch.

The chase by Delhi Capitals began in stark contrast, with Shafali Verma launching a fierce assault on Mumbai's bowlers while Meg Lanning struggled to find her footing. Facing Saika Ishaque in the second over, Shafali demonstrated her power-hitting by stepping out and smacking a six over mid-wicket, followed by three consecutive fours. Her aggressive play propelled Delhi ahead early on as she raced to 20 off a mere seven balls.

While Shafali was relentless, her partner Meg Lanning found herself restricted by Shabnim Ismail’s sharp bowling, who beat her multiple times with pace and bounce. Eventually, Delhi faced a double blow as Shafali was caught for a brisk 43 by Amanjot Kaur off Hayley Matthews, and Lanning’s struggles ended as Ismail bowled her out for 15 off 19 balls. Delhi's momentum took another hit when Jemimah Rodrigues (2) mis-timed a drive off Amelia Kerr, resulting in a simple catch to Harmanpreet at cover. With Annabel Sutherland also falling cheaply to Sciver-Brunt, Delhi found themselves in a precarious position at 83/4 in the 12th over.

In a tough spot, debutant Niki Prasad and Alice Capsey partnered to stabilize the innings. The teenage sensation Niki Prasad, fresh from captaining India to the U-19 World Cup title, showcased remarkable poise, playing sensible cricket while ensuring the required run rate remained manageable.

Capsey, on the other hand, aimed to quicken the scoring but struggled against the clever Amelia Kerr. She tried to take on Kerr in the 15th over but could not muster enough power, resulting in a catch to Ismail at long-on for 16 off 18 balls, leaving Delhi at 111/5.

Sarah Bryce, the only Associate nation player in the WPL, came in and made an immediate impact, cutting her first ball from Saika Ishaque for a four. In the 17th over, she edged a ball past wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia for another boundary before hitting a six over cow-corner, keeping Delhi’s hopes alive. However, she fell shortly after, scoring 21 off 10 balls, with Jintimani Kalita taking a safe catch off Matthews.

Delhi still required 21 runs off the final two overs, with Niki Prasad and Shikha Pandey at the crease. Ishaque initiated the penultimate over with disciplined bowling, but a poor call led to Shikha getting run out for 2 off 3 balls. With Radha Yadav now at the crease, Delhi still needed 16 off 8 balls.

Radha invigorated the chase with a stunning six over mid-wicket, applying pressure back on Mumbai. Yet, with 10 runs needed off the last over, Harmanpreet Kaur made a daring choice, handing the ball to Sajeevan Sajana, who had not bowled yet in the match.

Sajana’s first delivery saw Niki Prasad slice a boundary past a diving fielder, reducing the requirement to six off five. Two runs came from the next ball, bringing it down to four from four. A misfield allowed Delhi a single, leaving them needing two from two.

Just when it appeared that Delhi was on the brink of victory, Niki Prasad was caught for a well-made 35 off 33 balls by Kerr at deep mid-wicket. Suddenly, the match was wide open again, with two runs required off the final ball and Arundhati Reddy on strike.

The last ball witnessed Reddy charging down the pitch and lofting it over cover. As she sprinted for the run, the throw came in at the non-striker’s end. The decision was tight, and replays confirmed Reddy had just made her ground in time with a desperate dive! The stadium erupted as Delhi Capitals clinched a thrilling last-ball victory, winning by two wickets.

Brief scores:

Mumbai Indians 164 all out in 19.1 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 80 not out, Harmanpreet Kaur 42; Annabel Sutherland 3-34, Sikha Pandey 2-14) lost to Delhi Capitals 165/8 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 43, Niki Prasad 35; Amelia Kerr 2-22, Hayley Matthews 2-32) by two wickets