In the electrifying cauldron of DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 exploded into life on January 10 with its first double-header showdown, as Harmanpreet Kaur’s battle-hardened Mumbai Indians clash against Jemimah Rodrigues’ revitalised Delhi Capitals under the lights from 7:30 PM IST.
This isn’t just another league fixture; it’s the ultimate test of wills in one of WPL’s most storied rivalries, deadlocked at 4-4 from eight heart-pounding encounters across the league’s history. Mumbai, the proud two-time champions, have the final say etched in glory, having toppled Delhi in the title clashes of 2023 and 2025 to lift the trophy in two of three seasons.
Squads:
Mumbai Indians Women’s Cricket Team
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Nicola Carey, Sanskriti Gupta, Milly Illingworth, Saika Ishaque, Shabnim Ismail, Gunalan Kamalini, Amojot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Poonam Khemnar, Kranthi Reddy, Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver Brunt, Rahila Firdous, Sajeevan Sajana, Triveni Vasistha
Delhi Capitals Women’s Cricket Team
Jemimah Rodrigues (C), Shafali Verma, Alana King, Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Laura Wolvaardt, Deeya Yadav, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Lizelle Lee (wk), Mamatha Madiwala, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Lucy Hamilton, Nandani Sharma
Players to watch out:
Harmanpreet Kaur
Mumbai Indians’ talismanic skipper Harmanpreet Kaur looms large as the ultimate DC nemesis, amassing a staggering 262 runs at a blistering strike rate of 134.35 and an average of 37.42 across 8 innings, including two match-defining half-centuries in 8 outings against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. For MI, she’s the second-highest run-scorer ever, while ranking fifth overall in WPL lore with 851 runs at 143.50 strike rate and 40.52 average in 26 innings (from 27 matches), powered by 8 half-centuries that have steered her side to glory.
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Mumbai Indians’ powerhouse Nat Sciver-Brunt reigns as the second-highest run-scorer against Delhi Capitals, for her side, plundering 235 runs at 115.19 strike rate and 47 average in 8 innings, including two explosive half-centuries in 8 matches, while snaring 6 wickets at 41 average and 9.11 economy in 8 bowling innings against them. She’s WPL’s all-time leading run-getter with 1,027 runs, the only batter to breach 1,000, at 141.85 strike rate and 46.68 average across 29 innings (from 29 matches), featuring 8 half-centuries that define her batting mastery.
Marizanne Kapp
The 36-year-old South African veteran Marizanne Kapp has been the heartbeat of Delhi Capitals’ WPL journey since the 2023 inaugural edition, blending gritty batting with lethal bowling. Against Mumbai Indians, she has mustered 87 runs at a 120.83 strike rate and 17.40 average in five innings, while claiming the joint-second most wickets for DC with 7 scalps at 22.28 average and a stellar 5.77 economy across seven innings and seven matches. She shares that haul with Shikha Pandey, who departed for UP Warriorz at the November 27, 2025, Mega Auction.
Jemimah Rodrigues
Newly crowned Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues owns the Mumbai Indians record books, topping the runs charts with 192 runs at a scorching 161.34 strike rate and 38.40 average in seven innings, including an unbeaten half-century across 8 WPL matches for her side. Overall, she has notched 507 runs at 139.66 strike rate and 28.16 average in 24 innings (from 27 matches), with 3 half-centuries fueling DC’s campaigns. Rodrigues inherited the armband after Meg Lanning’s departure to UP Warriorz for 1.90 CR at the November 27, 2025, Mega Auction, ending Lanning’s era of three straight runners-up finishes in the first three seasons.
Pitch:
DY Patil Stadium’s flat, black-soil pitch in Navi Mumbai favours batters under lights, delivering true bounce and minimal seam for WPL 2026’s high-scoring clashes. Dew aids chasing, with totals over 170 often decisive. Spinners get late turn, while pacers lean on variations.
Weather:
Clear skies and balmy 27°C conditions greet WPL 2026 Match 3 at Dr D.Y. Patil Stadium, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, with 0% precipitation risk from 7:00 PM IST. Low 49% humidity and gentle 11 km/h winds promise dew-free early play, setting up a batting bonanza under the lights for MI and DC’s fireworks.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Laura Wolvaardt, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Amelia Kerr, Gunalan Kamalini, Marizanne Kapp, Chenille Henry, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma
Match Details:
Date – January 10, 2026
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
Broadcast – Star Sports Network will be showing the live telecast of the match. The Streaming will be available on the Jio Hotstar (India)
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