Central Delhi Queens edge past North Delhi Strikers Women by just 3 runs in Match 7 of the Women’s Delhi Premier League 2026. This thrilling encounter hung in the balance right until the final over, delivering pure drama for cricket fans.
Batting first, Central Delhi Queens kicked off their innings with an opening stand between Deeksha Sharma and Nidhi Mahto. Deeksha made a swift 16 off 13 balls (2 fours), while Nidhi chipped in with 14 off 14 deliveries (3 fours). However, the opening momentum was broken when Apeksha Anand removed Deeksha (caught Shivani Jangid) and soon followed up by dismissing Nidhi (caught Shivi Sharma). Arushi Goel joined forces with Monika to rebuild, scoring 22 off 26 balls before a sharp run-out executed by Archana and Riya Shokeen brought her stay to an end.
Monika anchored the innings brilliantly, top-scoring with a patient 47 off 42 balls, studded with 6 crisp boundaries. Apeksha Anand proved to be the standout bowler for North Delhi Strikers Women, delivering a magnificent spell of 4 for 17 in her 4 overs to dismiss Monika (caught Riya Shokeen) and Riya Kondal (4 off 9 balls). Captain Soni Yadav remained unbeaten on 10 off 10 balls, while Medhavi Bidhuri was caught off Shivani Jangid (1 for 27 in 4 overs) for 1 off 3 balls. Jyoti added 3 off 3 balls before being run out by Reshika Beniwal and Nazma Khan.
With 8 extras included, Central Delhi Queens finished their 20 overs at 125/7. North Delhi Strikers’ bowling attack saw tight economical spells from Priya Mishra (0/18 in 4 overs), Reshika Beniwal (0/16 in 2 overs), Archana (0/17 in 2 overs), and Nazma Khan (0/30 in 4 overs), while Apeksha Anand starred with 4/17 (4).
Chasing 126 for victory, North Delhi Strikers Women had a measured start. Armeet Kaur scored 7 off 20 balls before Sumiti Soni broke the opening partnership, having her caught by R Priyadarshini. Shivi Sharma brought fluency to the chase, scoring a solid 36 off 33 balls (4 fours) before being caught by Arushi Goel off Nidhi Mahto. Captain Ayushi Soni played a captain’s knock to keep her side on track, smashing 51 off 40 balls with 4 fours and a six, building crucial partnerships.
The game took a sharp turn when Deeksha Sharma dismissed Ayushi Soni, caught behind by Priyadarshini. Pressure mounted in the death overs, resulting in crucial run-outs: Nazma Khan fell for 7 off 13 balls (run out by Deeksha Sharma/Priyadarshini) and Samaira Raghav made 3 off 3 balls (run out by Monika/Soni Yadav). Late boundaries from Reshika Beniwal (8* off 5 balls) and Archana (10* off 6 balls) brought NDS-W close, but Central Delhi Queens held their nerve to restrict them to 122/5 in 20 overs.
CDQ’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Sumiti Soni (1/15 in 4 overs), Nidhi Mahto (1/19 in 4 overs), Deeksha Sharma (1/24 in 2 overs), along with solid contributions from Puja Halder (0/18 in 4 overs), Medhavi Bidhuri (0/29 in 4 overs), and Soni Yadav (0/17 in 2 overs), sealed a thrilling 3-run victory.
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