By Victoria Hamilton 
In a nail-biting encounter at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, Delhi Capitals (DC) clinched their first victory of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 with a dramatic two-wicket win over Mumbai Indians (MI). The game went down to the last ball, where Arundhati Reddy’s close call at the crease sealed the match for DC in a breathtaking finish.
A Rollercoaster Chase for Delhi Capitals
Chasing 165 for victory, Delhi Capitals had an explosive start, thanks to Shafali Verma’s blistering 18-ball 43. Her aggressive approach put DC in the driver’s seat early on, but MI struck back swiftly.
- Shabnim Ismail, Amelia Kerr, and Natalie Sciver-Brunt dismantled DC’s middle order, reducing them to 76/4 in the ninth over.
- Niki Prasad (35 off 33) and Alice Capsey (21 off 10) attempted to steady the innings, but Mumbai’s bowlers maintained pressure.
- The equation came down to 10 runs off the final over, with Radha Yadav and Arundhati Reddy at the crease.
- With two runs required off the last ball, Reddy survived a close run-out appeal, securing a thrilling win for DC.
Sciver-Brunt’s Masterclass in Vain
Earlier, Mumbai Indians posted 164/10 in 19.1 overs, courtesy of an exceptional 80 off 59 balls* from Natalie Sciver-Brunt. She anchored the innings while Harmanpreet Kaur’s fiery 42 off 22 provided much-needed acceleration.
- Shikha Pandey gave DC an early breakthrough, dismissing Hayley Matthews in the first over.
- Annabel Sutherland (3/34) and Pandey (2/14) ensured MI didn’t capitalize fully despite a strong foundation.
- Mumbai lost quick wickets in the latter half, getting bowled out with five balls remaining.
Key Takeaways from the Match
Shafali Verma’s Power-Hitting: 43 off 18 balls set the tone for DC’s chase.
Sciver-Brunt’s All-Round Brilliance: A stunning 80 and a crucial wicket* nearly won the match for MI.
DC’s Bowling Unit: Sutherland (3/34) and Pandey (2/14) kept MI in check.
Young Talent Shines: Niki Prasad played a composed 35-run knock under pressure.
Last-Ball Drama: Radha Yadav and Arundhati Reddy’s nerve held in the final moments.
What’s Next?
With Delhi Capitals securing two crucial points, their campaign is off to a promising start. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians will look to bounce back in their next fixture after an agonizingly close defeat.
Brief Scores:
Delhi Capitals 165/8 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 43, Niki Prasad 35, Amelia Kerr 2-21, Hayley Matthews 2-32)
Mumbai Indians 164/10 in 19.1 overs (Natalie Sciver-Brunt 80*, Harmanpreet Kaur 42, Annabel Sutherland 3-34, Shikha Pandey 2-14)
Zainab Shafiq