Delhi Capitals Women produced a composed and clinical all-round display to outmaneuver UP Warriorz Women by five wickets in the 20th match of the Women’s Premier League 2026 at Vadodara, completing the chase with eight balls to spare and seal the final playoff spot.
UP Warriorz Women were put under pressure almost immediately after opting to bat, as their innings never quite found sustained momentum. The tone was set in the opening over itself when Meg Lanning was trapped lbw for a first-ball duck by Chinelle Henry, leaving the Warriorz reeling at 0 for 1. With the pitch offering grip and the ball holding slightly, scoring was never going to be straightforward. Deepti Sharma attempted to steady the innings, striking four boundaries and a six in her 24 off 19 balls, but the Capitals’ bowlers ensured that partnerships remained short-lived.
Charli Knott (12 off 12) and Deepti added 29 runs for the second wicket, but Marizanne Kapp broke the stand, by having Deepti caught by Niki Prasad at 5.6 overs, reducing UPW to 36 for 3. Harleen Deol struggled for fluency and was dismissed lbw by N Sree Charani, while Deandra Dottin’s brief stay ended when Kapp struck again to make it 52 for 5 at the halfway mark. Simran Shaikh (22 off 14) injected urgency with a brisk knock, forging a useful stand with Shipra Giri (9), but Chinelle Henry returned to remove Simran at 12.3 overs.
The lower order did attempt a late push. Asha Sobhana contributed 13 off 13 balls, while Shikha Pandey’s unbeaten 23 off just 13 deliveries, including three boundaries, ensured the Warriorz crossed the 120-run mark. Sophie Ecclestone anchored one end with a 20-ball 10*, allowing UP Warriorz Women to finish at 122 for 8 in their 20 overs. Kapp led the Capitals’ bowling with figures of 3 for 30, supported well by Henry (2 for 25) and N See Charani (2 for 22), while Nandani Sharma and Minnu Mani maintained tight lines.
Chasing 123, Delhi Capitals Women suffered an early blow when Lizelle Lee fell for 10, caught by Kranti Gaud off Dottin, but the response was calm and calculated. Shafali Verma and Laura Wolvaardt stitched together a vital partnership, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. Shafali scored a measured 29 off 33 balls before Shikha Pandey broke the stand at 97, while Wolvaardt continued to anchor the innings with a fluent 47 off 36 balls, striking seven fours.
Once Wolvaardt was dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone at 12.3 overs, the Capitals briefly wobbled as Marizanne Kapp departed for a duck and Chinelle Henry fell soon after. However, skipper Jemimah Rodrigues ensured there were no further hiccups. Her unbeaten 34 off just 18 balls, laced with five boundaries, shifted the momentum decisively. Jemimah added a calm, unbroken partnership with Niki Prasad (4*), guiding Delhi Capitals Women to 126 for 5 in 18.4 overs.
Among the UP Warriorz bowlers, Shikha Pandey stood out with an economical 1 for 17, while Ecclestone and Dottin picked up a wicket apiece. Deepti Sharma’s two wickets kept the game alive briefly, but the lack of scoreboard pressure ultimately told.
Marizanne Kapp was deservedly named Player of the Match for her decisive three-wicket haul, as Delhi Capitals Women showcased their depth and composure to qualify for the eliminators in the WPL 2026, while UP Warriorz Women were left to reflect on missed opportunities with the bat.
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