As the curtains fell on the third season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the Mumbai Indians secured their second title in the tournament’s three-year history. Meanwhile, the ever-consistent Delhi Capitals once again finished as runners-up, marking their third consecutive runners-up finish.
Dropped from the national team, Shafali Verma made a strong statement with her performances in domestic cricket, amassing 527 runs in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy and 414 runs in the Senior Women’s Challenger Trophy. She carried this form into the WPL, starting with a blazing 43 off 18 balls against Mumbai Indians.
Although she faltered with scores of 0, 26, and 24 in subsequent outings, Shafali bounced back in style. She smashed a 27-ball 44 against Gujarat Giants, followed by a 28-ball 43 in a rematch against Mumbai Indians, before registering her season-best knock of 80* off just 43 balls. She continued her momentum with a 40 (27) before falling for 4 in the Final.
For the third consecutive year in the WPL, the Delhi Capitals finished at the top of the table and advanced directly to the Final. They started their campaign with a win but managed to secure only one win in their next three games. However, a three-match winning streak put them back on track but suffered a loss in their final league game to Gujarat Giants, possibly denting their momentum.
In 2023, Delhi fell short in the Final, losing to the Mumbai Indians by 7 wickets after failing to defend 131. The following year, they suffered an 8-wicket loss to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, defending just 113 in another low-scoring Final. This season, despite a valiant effort, they came agonizingly close to chasing down Mumbai’s 149, eventually falling 8 runs short.
Reflecting on her campaign, Shafali Verma expressed the heartbreak of falling short in three consecutive seasons but highlighted the team’s relentless effort, supportive environment, and the family-like culture that makes the journey special.
In a social media post she mentioned, ” Losing three years in a row isn’t easy 💔, but one thing I know for sure—every single time, we’ve given it our all for this team. I love this team so much, and the people here make it even more special. Their energy, support, and motivation have taught me so much—whether it’s during practice sessions or in the heat of a match.
The culture we’ve built feels like family—full of love, trust, and belief. I’m just so grateful to be part of this journey. 🥹💙
Until next time, DC. ❤️💙”
At just 20 years old, experienced opener Shafali Verma has been a cornerstone of the Delhi Capitals’ success in the WPL, forming a formidable duo with captain and fellow opener Meg Lanning. The pair have been the top scorers for the franchise, with Verma amassing 865 runs and Lanning 952 runs in 27 outings each, also among the top 5 leading run-scorers in the competition.
Together, they hold the record for the most partnership runs in the competition’s history, amassing 1,222 runs from 27 innings, which includes nine fifty-run and three century-run stands. Verma has also been part of the tournament’s two highest partnerships; a 162-run stand with Lanning and an unbeaten 146-run stand with Jess Jonassen.
As Delhi Capitals continue their quest for a maiden title, this dynamic opening pair will aim to dominate once again and lead their team to long-awaited glory.
Loves all things female cricket