WPL 2025: Lanning Reflects on Thrilling DC Win Over MI

Vadodara, Feb 16 (NationPress) Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning praised her team’s flexibility and vital 'impact performances' following their exhilarating two-wicket triumph against Mumbai Indians in the second match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 at Kotambi Stadium. In a match that saw numerous lead changes, Delhi successfully chased a target of 165 on the last delivery, with Lanning attributing the win to the team's capacity to adapt and excel in critical moments.

"Not many stressful days like that," Lanning remarked after the game. "They looked like they might reach 200. Pandey bowled particularly well. There were phases where we batted well, but Mumbai countered effectively. I envisioned how I wanted it to unfold. Minnu performed admirably. You must keep evolving. When batters settle, they shouldn't face the same approach twice, so I kept altering our strategy. Niki did an outstanding job coming in at a challenging time. Radha Yadav also hit that six. T20 is about impact play, and I believe we executed that well."

After opting to bat, Mumbai Indians appeared on track for a substantial total with Nat Sciver-Brunt leading the charge. The English all-rounder delivered a fantastic unbeaten innings of 80 off 59 balls, providing stability after early setbacks. She received solid support from Harmanpreet Kaur, who contributed a brisk 42 off 22 balls. At one stage, Mumbai seemed poised to exceed the 200-run mark, but a collapse in the concluding overs resulted in them being bowled out for 164 in 19.1 overs.

Delhi’s chase commenced explosively as Shafali Verma aggressively targeted the MI bowlers from the start. She smashed three consecutive boundaries off Saika Ishaque before hitting a six over mid-wicket, racing to 43 off just 18 balls. However, just as she seemed set to dominate the game, Verma was dismissed by Hayley Matthews, caught by Amanjot Kaur.

Lanning, on the other hand, struggled to find her rhythm and was outdone by Shabnim Ismail's sharp pace, bowled for 15 off 19 balls. Jemimah Rodrigues (2) and Annabel Sutherland (6) also fell quickly, leaving Delhi in a precarious position at 83/4 in the 12th over.

With the match hanging in the balance, debutant Niki Prasad rose to the occasion under pressure. The teenager, fresh from leading India to the U-19 World Cup title, displayed remarkable poise, anchoring the innings while ensuring the required run rate didn’t spike.

Alice Capsey attempted to accelerate but fell for 16, leaving Delhi at 111/5. Sarah Bryce’s brisk 21 off 10 balls injected essential momentum, but her dismissal left the Capitals needing 21 runs off the final two overs. Radha Yadav’s crucial six in the penultimate over tilted the momentum back in Delhi’s favor, but with 10 needed off the final over, the game remained wide open.

Harmanpreet Kaur entrusted the last over to Sajeevan Sajana, who hadn’t bowled throughout the match. Prasad sliced the first ball for four, followed by two more runs to reduce the equation to four off four balls. A single left two needed off the last two deliveries.

However, just when Delhi appeared poised for victory, Prasad fell for a composed 35 off 33 balls, caught by Amelia Kerr at deep mid-wicket, leaving two required off the last ball with Arundhati Reddy on strike. In a dramatic finale, Reddy charged down the track and lofted the ball over cover. As she dashed for the second run, the throw arrived at the non-striker’s end. Replays confirmed that Reddy just made her ground with a desperate dive, clinching a thrilling last-ball victory for Delhi Capitals.