In the post-match press conference after Delhi Capitals’ thrilling 7-wicket victory over UP Warriorz in Match 7 of Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, top-order batter Laura Wolvaardt opened up on the nerves of the run chase, pitch challenges, and skipper Jemimah Rodrigues’ leadership.
The win on January 14 marked Delhi’s first of the season, powered by Shafali Verma’s all-round brilliance (36 off 32 & 2/16) and Lizelle Lee’s second successive half-century (67 off 44), as they chased down 155 on the final ball. Wolvaardt (25 off 24) played the finisher’s role alongside Marizanne Kapp, sealing it with a boundary amid echoes of a prior heartbreak.
Wolvaardt, Delhi’s second-highest run-scorer this edition with 111 runs at a strike rate of 165.67 and average of 55.50, including a sensational 77 off 38 against Gujarat Giants in a losing cause (by 4 runs), reflected on the high-pressure backend. “Very, very relieved. Definitely some tension there, because I think it was a pretty similar equation to the last game (against Gujarat).
“And at one point, again, it was me and Jemmi (Jemimah Rodrigues) batting, needing pretty similar runs to what we did in the last game. So yeah, I had a bit of flashbacks, but very nicely we were able to get over the line,” she said, alluding to Delhi’s commanding 7-wicket win chasing 155 against the UP Warriorz.
The chase saw a solid 94-run opening stand between Lee and Verma, but UP Warriorz’ bowlers tightened the screws on a tricky surface, forcing Delhi into a scramble with 6 needed off the last over. Wolvaardt admitted the team could have accelerated sooner.
“Yeah, I think sort of different scenarios in different games. Whereas today, I think we could have probably taken a bit more responsibility earlier to not get into that scenario. It was a tough wicket. It was a lot slower than the other night, turning a bit more. But myself included, probably could have taken a few more options earlier to not let it go that far into the last over.”
She pinpointed the pitch’s evolution as a key factor, contrasting it with the prior game on the same strip. “Definitely a slower pitch, was holding a bit, turning a lot more than the other night. The other night, I think we were on the same wicket. There was no turn at all. It was just sliding on nicely. Whereas today, quite a bit of turn. So yeah, different.”
Earlier, Delhi’s bowlers had restricted UP to 154/8, with Verma dismissing Shweta Sehrawat and Deepti Sharma, while Meg Lanning’s gritty 54 off 38 anchored Warriorz despite the controversial retirement of Harleen Deol (47 off 36).
Wolvaardt heaped praise on her former South African opening partner, Lizelle Lee, Delhi’s leading scorer with 163 runs at 150.92 strike rate, including 86 off 54 vs Giants, and Rodrigues, the new skipper, navigating a quiet batting start (37 runs at 142.30 SR).
“Yeah, she’s been wonderful. It’s really nice to play with her again, she’s a very destructive player,” she said of Lee, their past South Africa partnership shining through. On Rodrigues: “Yeah, Jami’s been great. I think she’s a really good people’s person, she’ll be a very good captain one day. She’s been really inspirational.”
This victory lifts Delhi after two losses, with Wolvaardt’s composure underscoring their depth. As the tournament heats up, her words signal a side learning fast under Rodrigues, ready to build momentum.
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