The 13th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 is set to be an intense showdown as defending champions Mumbai Indians take on Delhi Capitals, the two-time runners-up. The high-stakes battle will unfold at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on February 28 at 7:30 PM IST.
Mumbai Indians head into this clash brimming with confidence after securing three victories in four matches. Their only setback so far came against Delhi Capitals, making this encounter even more intriguing. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals have played five matches, winning three and losing two—one against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the other against UP Warriorz. As both teams aim to consolidate their positions on the points table, let’s take a closer look at the key players for this fixture and an ideal fantasy XI lineup.
Wicketkeeper:
Sarah Bryce
Bryce has been making waves in her debut WPL season. The Scottish batter showcased her explosive batting with a brisk 21 off 10 balls in Delhi’s thrilling run chase against Mumbai Indians and followed it up with a crucial 23 off 19 against RCB. Although she didn’t get a chance to bat in two of the last three matches, her international credentials are strong, with 1,290 runs in 58 T20Is, including a career-best 67.
Batters:
Meg Lanning
Lanning, a stalwart in the T20 format, had a lukewarm start to the season, managing only 15 and 17 in her first two innings. However, she roared back to form with a commanding 69 off 49 balls against UP Warriorz. Unfortunately, her form dipped again, registering just 5 runs in the return fixture against the same team and 3 runs against Gujarat Giants. With 3,405 runs in 132 T20Is and the highest score of 133, Lanning remains a key figure. Her remarkable consistency saw her clinch the Orange Cap in the inaugural season with 345 runs and replicate that success with 331 runs in the second edition.
Harmanpreet Kaur
Kaur, the Mumbai Indians captain, continues to be a crucial anchor for her team. She set the stage on fire with a blazing 42 off 22 balls against Delhi, but her form fluctuated with a mere 4 runs against Gujarat Giants. However, she bounced back in style, crafting a well-paced 50 off 38 balls against RCB and remaining unbeaten on 4 against UP Warriorz. Across her 21 WPL appearances, she has scored 649 runs at an outstanding average of 43.26, striking at 140.78. Her ability to contribute with the ball adds extra value to her fantasy selection.
Shafali Verma
Verma, known for her fearless batting, exploded with a 43-run knock off just 18 balls against Mumbai Indians. However, she faltered in the next game, falling for a golden duck against RCB. She rediscovered her touch with a quick 26 off 16 against UP Warriorz, followed by 24 off 30 in their second meeting and a solid 44 against Gujarat Giants. With 698 runs from 23 WPL matches at a staggering strike rate of 164.23, she remains one of Delhi’s most destructive batters.
All-rounders:
Natalie Sciver-Brunt
Sciver-Brunt is undoubtedly among the most complete all-rounders in the WPL. She played a breathtaking innings of 80 off 59 balls against Delhi while also contributing with the ball (1/38). Her all-round brilliance continued as she smashed 57 off 39 and took 2/26 against Gujarat Giants, followed by a 42 off 21 and 1/40 against RCB. In her WPL career, she has accumulated 758 runs and taken 27 wickets from 22 matches, making her a match-winner in every sense. She further underlined her dominance with an unbeaten 75 and a superb bowling spell of 3/18 against UP Warriorz.
Annabel Sutherland
Sutherland has been a key performer for Delhi Capitals. She kicked off her WPL 2025 campaign with a well-rounded display, scoring 13 off 10 and picking up 3/34 with the ball. She chipped in with 19 off 13 and had a tidy spell of 0/18 against RCB. Against UP Warriorz, she delivered a match-winning performance with 2/26 and an unbeaten 41 off 35 balls. However, she struggled in the return fixture, managing just 5 runs and conceding 30 runs without a wicket. She regained form with 2/20 against Gujarat Giants.
Jess Jonassen
After a slow start with figures of 0/37 against RCB and 1/21 against UP Warriorz, Jonassen showcased her bowling prowess with a stunning 4/31 in their second encounter—the best figures of her WPL career. Her all-round contributions make her a crucial player, having amassed 212 runs and taken 26 wickets in 20 WPL matches. She also played a crucial knock of 61* and picked up 1/24 against Gujarat Giants.
Hayley Matthews
The West Indies skipper has been instrumental with the ball this season. She claimed 2/32 against Delhi and followed it up with a game-changing 3/16 against Gujarat Giants. Her WPL record is equally impressive, with 542 runs and 30 wickets from 22 matches. She added another dimension to her game with a quickfire 59 and a bowling spell of 1/38 against UP Warriorz.
Marizanne Kapp
Kapp remains a vital cog in Delhi Capitals’ setup, contributing consistently with bat and ball. The South African all-rounder has accumulated 1,622 runs and taken 88 wickets in 113 T20Is. In the WPL, she has scored 315 runs and bagged 25 wickets in 20 matches. Her performances this season include a 29 off 17 and 1/30 against UP Warriorz, a brilliant 2/18 in their second meeting, and 2/17 against Gujarat Giants.
Amelia Kerr
Kerr has been a consistent force for Mumbai Indians, delivering impactful performances with both bat and ball. Her spells of 2/23 against Delhi and 2/22 against Gujarat were crucial, and she also contributed a handy 19 runs in one of those encounters. She followed it up with a disciplined 1/24 against UP Warriorz. With 394 runs and 27 wickets from 23 matches, including a career-best 4/17, Kerr adds immense balance to MI’s squad.
Bowler:
Shabnim Ismail
The South African speedster continues to be a formidable force with the ball. Ismail made a significant impact with figures of 1/18 against Delhi, where she dismissed Meg Lanning. She followed it up with tight spells of 1/17 and 1/36 against Gujarat Giants and RCB, respectively, before picking up 2/33 against UP Warriorz. With 16 wickets in 14 WPL matches and best figures of 3/18, her presence adds a lethal edge to Mumbai’s pace attack.
As Mumbai Indians look to avenge their earlier loss against Delhi Capitals, and the latter aims to continue their winning streak against Mumbai, fans can expect a thrilling contest.
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