The 13th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at Vadodara unfolded as a gripping contest where momentum swung multiple times before Delhi Capitals Women held their nerve to outclass Mumbai Indians Women in a pressure chase. On a surface that offered value for shots but demanded discipline from bowlers, both sides showcased phases of dominance, making it a high-quality WPL encounter that lived up to its billing.
Mumbai Indians Women began with intent but not without early hiccups. Sajeevan Sajana looked positive in her brief stay, striking a boundary in her 9 off 9 balls, before falling at 21 in the 3.5 overs mark, giving Delhi their first breakthrough. Hayley Matthews tried to steady the innings alongside Nat Sciver-Brunt, but her 12 off 15 balls ended at 21/2 in 4.1 overs as Marizanne Kapp struck with a tight spell that set the tone upfront.
From there, Mumbai found stability through a vital partnership between Nat Sciver-Brunt and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. The duo absorbed pressure before shifting gears, with Harmanpreet playing her trademark attacking strokes en route to a fluent 41 off 33 balls, laced with seven boundaries. Their stand pushed Mumbai close to the 100-run mark, but the momentum shifted again when Harmanpreet was caught by Lucy Hamilton off Sree Charani at 99/3 in 13.5 overs.
Nat Sciver-Brunt anchored the innings beautifully, combining timing with power as she compiled an unbeaten 65 off 45 balls, striking six fours and two sixes. Nicola Carey and Amanjot Kaur added handy cameos, but both fell to Sree Charani, who emerged as Delhi’s most effective bowler with figures of 3 for 33 in her four overs. Carey’s 12 and Amanjot’s 3 came in quick succession, reducing Mumbai to 134/5 by 17.5 overs.
In the death phase, Sciver-Brunt found support from Sanskriti Gupta, who chipped in with an unbeaten 10 off just 5 balls, ensuring Mumbai finished with a competitive 154/5. Besides Charani, Delhi’s bowling effort was spearheaded by Marizanne Kapp’s economical 1 for 8, while Nandni Sharma picked up a wicket despite conceding 36. Lucy Hamilton and Sneh Rana went wicketless but played supporting roles in controlling phases.
Chasing 155, Delhi Capitals Women started with controlled aggression. Shafali Verma’s 29 off 24 balls set the early tempo, as she and Lizelle Lee put together a brisk opening partnership before Shafali fell at 63 in 7.3 overs to Vaishnavi Sharma. Lizelle Lee then took charge, counterattacking Mumbai’s bowlers with authority. Her 46 off just 28 deliveries, including seven fours and a six, formed the backbone of a crucial stand with Laura Wolvaardt. The pair added stability after the first wicket, but Mumbai struck back when Lee was stumped off Amanjot Kaur at 84/2 in 10.2 overs.
Laura Wolvaardt looked composed for her 17 off 19 balls, rotating strike effectively, before being run out at 118/3 in 16.1 overs due to sharp work involving Nat Sciver-Brunt. That dismissal briefly opened the door for Mumbai, but Jemimah Rodrigues ensured there were no further stumbles. Playing with maturity and calm, the Delhi captain paced her innings to perfection, remaining unbeaten on 51 off 37 balls, striking five fours and a six. She found the ideal partner in Marizanne Kapp, whose explosive 10* off 6 balls sealed the chase with six balls to spare. Their unbroken partnership took Delhi to 155/3 in 19 overs, securing a seven-wicket victory.
Mumbai’s bowlers fought hard, with Vaishnavi Sharma and Amanjot Kaur picking up one wicket each, while Shabnim Ismail delivered an economical spell of 4 overs for 26. However, the lack of breakthroughs in the middle overs hurt them, as Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews went wicketless despite bowling full quota.
In the end, it was Delhi Capitals Women’s composure in the chase, highlighted by Jemimah Rodrigues’ match-winning half-century and N Sree Charani’s impactful bowling performance, that proved decisive. The result strengthened Delhi’s position in the WPL 2026 standings, while Mumbai were left to reflect on missed opportunities despite a solid all-round effort.
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