Heartbreaks refused to end for Delhi Capitals as their dreams of a maiden Women’s Premier League (WPL) title were crushed yet again—a cruel case of history repeating itself. Despite topping the points table with 10 points and five wins, they fell short by 8 runs against Mumbai Indians, once again stumbling at the final hurdle, just as they did in 2023. Having qualified directly for the finals for the third time, Delhi seemed poised for glory, but Mumbai had other plans, clinching their second trophy and leaving Delhi with yet another agonizing near-miss in their pursuit of triumph.
Delhi Capitals’ WPL 2025 campaign was a testament to their talent, determination, and hunger for success. Though they fell just short of the title, their squad was packed with match-winners who made a lasting impact. Skipper Meg Lanning led from the front, while Indian stars Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Minnu Mani and Shikha Pandey showcased their experience and skill. Overseas powerhouses, Marizanne Kapp, Annabel Sutherland and Jess Jonassen brought quality to the side, while debutants like Niki Prasad, N Charini and Sarah Bryce made their mark.
Delhi Capitals kicked off their run with a statement win, edging past Mumbai Indians in a nail-biting last-ball finish. Annabel Sutherland’s three-wicket burst played a crucial role in restricting Mumbai to 164. Shafali Verma then ignited the chase with a blistering 43 off just 18 balls, setting the early tempo. But when the pressure mounted, it was debutant and U-19 World Cup-winning captain Niki Prasad who held her nerve, crafting a steady 35 off 33 balls to steer Delhi to a 2-wicket victory.
Capitals faced a setback in their second match, suffering an 8-wicket defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Batting first, they struggled to build momentum and were restricted to just 141, with only Jemimah Rodrigues showing resilience through a fighting 34 off 22 balls. The modest total proved insufficient as RCB comfortably chased it down in 17 overs. Shikha Pandey and Arundhati Reddy managed to pick up a wicket each, but Delhi’s bowling attack couldn’t apply enough pressure to turn the game in their favor.
Delhi Capitals’ next two matches saw them face off against UP Warriorz. In their first encounter, Delhi dominated UP, securing a convincing 7-wicket victory. UP Warriorz, batting first, managed 166, with Annabel Sutherland claiming 2 wickets for Delhi. Captain Meg Lanning led the chase, scoring 69 off 49 balls, while Sutherland and Marizanne Kapp contributed 41* and 29* respectively, guiding Delhi to a comfortable win.
However, UP Warriorz turned the tables in their second encounter, exacting revenge on Delhi Capitals with a 33-run victory. UP Warriorz posted a strong total of 177, despite Jess Jonassen’s impressive 4-wicket haul. But Delhi’s batting lineup faltered, with only Jemimah Rodrigues offering resistance, scoring 56 off 35 balls. The lack of support from other batters proved costly, as Delhi succumbed to a 33-run defeat.
Delhi Capitals embarked on a remarkable hat-trick of wins in Bengaluru, starting with a 6-wicket victory over Gujarat Giants. Gujarat’s total of 127 was restricted by Shikha Pandey, Marizanne Kapp, and Annabel Sutherland, who each claimed 2 wickets. Delhi chased down the modest target of 128 with ease, completing the task in the 16th over, thanks to Jess Jonassen’s unbeaten 61 off 32 balls and Shafali Verma’s 44 off 27 balls.
Delhi’s winning streak continued as they defeated both Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 9 wickets each. Against Mumbai, Delhi restricted them to 123, with Jess Jonassen and Minnu Mani sharing 3 wickets each, before chasing down the target in the 15th over, with Meg Lanning remaining unbeaten on 60.
The next day, Delhi repeated the feat against RCB, restricting them to 147, with Shikha Pandey and debutant N Charani picking up 2 wickets each. Shafali Verma and Jess Jonassen then remained unbeaten on 80 and 61 respectively, guiding Delhi to a comprehensive victory.
Delhi Capitals wrapped up their league campaign on a disappointing note, succumbing to a 5-wicket loss against Gujarat Giants. Despite Meg Lanning’s brilliant 92 off 57 balls, Delhi’s total of 177 proved insufficient. Gujarat’s chase was anchored by Harleen Deol’s stellar innings, which guided them to victory, despite Shikha Pandey and Jess Jonassen’s efforts, as they picked up 2 wickets each.
Nevertheless, Delhi’s impressive league performance ensured they topped the table with a superior net run rate (NRR) over Mumbai Indians, earning them a direct spot in the final.
Despite their dominance over Mumbai Indians in the league stage, winning both their encounters, Delhi Capitals failed to deliver when it mattered the most, succumbing to a familiar foe on the biggest stage. In what was a similar storyline to the 2023 final, Delhi once again fell short against Mumbai, failing to capitalize on a solid bowling performance that restricted Mumbai to 149/7.
Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen and N Charini each claimed two wickets apiece, but Delhi’s batting unit suffered a disastrous start, losing half of their side for just 66 in 11 overs. Although Marizanne Kapp’s 40 off 26 and Niki Prasad’s 25*(23) provided a glimmer of hope, Delhi ultimately couldn’t cross the line, losing the final by 8 runs.
Meg Lanning-led Delhi Capitals found themselves trapped in a relentless cycle—dominance in the league, a direct ticket to the final, and yet, the same painful ending for the third time. Despite an outstanding campaign and moments of brilliance, they couldn’t overcome the final hurdle. Their wait for the elusive trophy continues, but with the talent and spirit they’ve shown, it feels like only a matter of time before they finally lift the title.
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