Monika's gritty 47 off 42 balls steered Central Delhi Queens to a nail-biting three-run victory over North Delhi Strikers in the Women's Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday, 28 August. The win — Central Delhi's first after three consecutive defeats — keeps their playoff hopes alive with two league matches still to play.

Monika's Knock Steadies a Wobbling Innings

Batting first, Central Delhi Queens posted 125/7 in 20 overs. Openers Deeksha Sharma and Nidhi Mahto added 27 runs before falling in quick succession, leaving the middle order exposed. Arushi Goel and Monika then rebuilt with a 44-run partnership. Goel was run out for 22 off 26, while Monika top-scored with her composed 47 to give the Queens a competitive total. For North Delhi, Apeksha Anand was the standout bowler, returning an impressive 4/17 in four overs.

North Delhi Fall Agonisingly Short

Chasing 126, North Delhi Strikers struggled for early momentum and were reduced to 65/2 after 13 overs. Ayush Soni kept the chase alive with a fighting 51 off 40 balls, but her dismissal tilted the game back in Central Delhi's favour. Reshika Beniwal and Archana struck crucial boundaries to drag the equation down to six runs off the final three balls. Deeksha Sharma bowled the decisive last over, conceding a boundary off the first delivery before holding her nerve to deny North Delhi the remaining runs and seal a three-run win.

What Monika Said After the Win

Speaking after the match, Monika was candid about the team's mindset. 'It feels really good to get our first win after three defeats. We just need to maintain this momentum and try to win our last two matches as well,' she said. On her personal approach, she added, 'There was no specific plan. We just wanted to score as many runs as possible. The wickets were falling regularly, and there was pressure, so the main focus was to stay positive and contribute to the team.'

Monika, who had earlier struck four centuries in a row in the DDCA league, also highlighted the value of a packed schedule. 'Playing back-to-back matches gives you a lot of positives. We learn a lot from every game, including the matches we lose. Those experiences help us understand our mistakes and improve as a team,' she said.

Playoffs Still in Sight

With two league matches remaining, Central Delhi's slim playoff chances now depend on converting this momentum into results. 'We will try our best to win both the matches and hopefully qualify for the playoffs,' Monika said. Notably, the Arun Jaitley Stadium is also scheduled to host international fixtures between India and Afghanistan next month, adding further significance to the venue.