WPL 2025: Delhi Capitals Edge Mumbai Indians in Last-Ball Thriller to Win by 2 Wickets
Vadodra/Patiala, 16 February (Sports Desk)
In a nail-biting encounter at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, Delhi Capitals (DC) emerged victorious against Mumbai Indians (MI) by 2 wickets in a last-ball thriller on Saturday. A splendid bowling performance, followed by a composed yet tense batting effort led by Niki Prasad , helped DC clinch a thrilling win.
MI’s Innings: Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Anchor the Total
Opting to bat first, Mumbai Indians were bundled out for 164 in 19.1 overs , thanks to a disciplined bowling effort from DC. The innings was anchored by an unbeaten 80 off 51 balls by Nat Sciver-Brunt and a quickfire 42 off 22 balls by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur . The duo shared a crucial 73-run partnership off just 40 balls for the third wicket, laying a solid foundation for MI.
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However, DC’s bowlers made a strong comeback, taking the final six wickets for just 35 runs to restrict MI below 170. Pacer Shikha Pandey was the standout performer with figures of 2/14 , while Minnu Mani bowled economically, conceding just 23 runs in her four overs.
DC got an early breakthrough when Pandey dismissed both openers – Hayley Matthews (0) and Yastika Bhatia (11) – leaving MI at 42/2 at the end of the powerplay. Despite a brief resurgence led by Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet, MI lost momentum as wickets fell in quick succession. Sciver-Brunt remained unbeaten but ran out of partners as MI collapsed in the death overs.
DC’s Chase: Shafali Fires, Middle Order Falters
Chasing 165 , Delhi Capitals got off to a flying start, courtesy of Shafali Verma , who smashed a blistering 43 off 18 balls . She took apart MI’s bowlers, including a 22-run second over off Saika Ishaque , which included four fours and a six . Shafali continued her assault, hitting two more fours and a six off Hayley Matthews before being dismissed in the fifth ball of the fifth over.
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At 60/0 , DC looked set for a comfortable chase, but MI staged a sensational comeback. Shabnim Ismail struck twice in her fourth over, dismissing Meg Lanning for a golden duck and reducing DC to 60/2 . The middle order faltered as Jemimah Rodrigues (2) and Annabel Sutherland (13) departed cheaply, leaving DC struggling at 76/4 in the ninth over.
Niki Prasad Steers DC Home in a Nail-Biter
With the required rate climbing, Sarah Bryce (21) and Niki Prasad (35) steadied the ship, keeping DC in the hunt. However, the tension mounted as wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Needing 21 off the last 12 balls , Radha Yadav (9 not out) played a crucial cameo, smashing a six to bring the equation down to manageable proportions.
Niki then hit a boundary off the penultimate over but was dismissed on the fifth ball, leaving DC needing 2 runs off the final delivery . Arundhati Reddy (2 not out) held her nerve, scampering through for two runs off the last ball to seal a dramatic victory for DC.
Key Performances
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (MI): Unbeaten 80 off 51 balls, anchoring MI’s total.
- Harmanpreet Kaur (MI): Explosive 42 off 22 balls, providing impetus in the middle overs.
- Shafali Verma (DC): Blistering 43 off 18 balls, setting up a strong platform.
- Niki Prasad (DC): Crucial 35 under pressure, guiding DC closer to victory.
- Shikha Pandey (DC): Outstanding bowling figures of 2/14, dismantling MI’s top order.
Bowling Highlights for MI
MI’s bowlers fought back valiantly, with Amelia Kerr (2/21) and Hayley Matthews (2/32) leading the charge. Sciver-Brunt (1/38) and Shabnim Ismail (1/18) also chipped in with key wickets to derail DC’s chase.
A Thrilling Finish
The match went down to the wire, with both teams showcasing their fighting spirit. In the end, it was Delhi Capitals’ composure under pressure that secured them a memorable win. This thrilling encounter highlighted the competitive nature of WPL 2025 and kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.
With this victory, DC has sent a strong message to the rest of the league, proving they can deliver in high-pressure situations.
