How Did WPL 2026 End in a Nail-Biting Victory for DC? Insights from Skipper Jemimah
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Delhi Capitals showcased exceptional team spirit and composure in a tense match.
- Sneh Rana’s first-ball wicket highlighted the shifting momentum in cricket.
- Shafali Verma proved to be a key player with both bat and ball.
- Jemimah Rodrigues expressed pride in her team's performance and strategic execution.
- The match emphasized the growing excitement and competitiveness in women's cricket.
Navi Mumbai, Jan 14 (NationPress) Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues expressed great pride as Delhi Capitals secured a thrilling seven-wicket win over UP Warriorz in a heart-stopping last-over finish during the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the DY Patil Stadium on Wednesday.
Lizelle Lee’s impressive batting, combined with Shafali Verma’s all-round performance, set the stage for Delhi Capitals' first victory under the leadership of Jemimah Rodrigues. Laura Wolvaardt's intense finish ultimately brought home the win for Delhi on the dramatic final ball.
Rodrigues commended her team's poise and expressed how special it felt to emerge victorious in such a nail-biter.
“I’m thrilled. Despite the nail-biting finish, I’m truly proud of how the girls maintained their composure. These moments are part of cricket, but it’s gratifying to be on the winning side. The chase was definitely tense, but the dugout remained calm. Even when I entered, the atmosphere was composed, which is vital. It did get a bit tense at the end, particularly after I lost my wicket - it was a déjà vu moment needing seven runs, but the way Kapp and the others finished was fantastic,” said Rodrigues after the match.
Rodrigues highlighted the significance of Delhi’s bowling performance, crediting Sneh Rana’s first-ball wicket as an example of how quickly momentum can shift in cricket.
Delhi’s victory stemmed from a disciplined bowling effort, with Shafali Verma (2/11), Marizanne Kapp (2/14), and Shree Charani (1/29) excelling in restricting UP Warriorz to a total of just 154 for 8 runs.
“From a bowling perspective, I felt we were exceptional today. Sneh’s first-ball wicket illustrates how quickly the game can change. One day might not favor you, but the next, you can turn it around. That wicket was crucial for us to regain momentum,” she added.
Earlier, UP captain Meg Lanning lost the toss but played admirably with 54 runs, while Harleen Deol contributed 47 runs off 36 balls, leading her team to a respectable score of 157/8.
While acknowledging the impressive innings from Meg Lanning and Harleen Deol, Jemimah expressed satisfaction with her bowlers’ collective effort in limiting UP Warriorz.
“Meg and Harleen performed excellently, but overall, I was pleased with how our bowlers executed their plans. The standout for me was Shafali. She consistently contributes to Delhi Capitals, whether with bat or ball, and today was no different,” she remarked.
The Delhi skipper reserved special accolades for Shafali Verma, emphasizing her dependability and confidence, calling her bowling spell phenomenal and vital to the team’s success.
“I wouldn’t categorize Shafali as my last bowling option. Her performance in the previous match and the confidence she exudes make a significant difference. She’s the type of player who would agree to bowl even if you woke her from her sleep. That confidence instills a lot of trust in a captain, and today she was absolutely remarkable.”