In a heart-stopping encounter at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, the Delhi Capitals clinched a thrilling victory over the Mumbai Indians in the second match of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025. The match was a nail-biter that went down to the very last ball, with Delhi securing a narrow two-wicket win.
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| Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
Opting to field first after winning the toss, Delhi's bowlers put up a commendable performance, restricting Mumbai to 164 runs in 19.1 overs. Nat Sciver-Brunt was the standout performer for Mumbai, scoring an unbeaten 80, while Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a quick 42. However, Delhi's bowlers, led by Annabel Sutherland with figures of 3 for 34 and Shikha Pandey with 2 for 14, managed to keep the Mumbai batting lineup in check.
Chasing the target, Delhi Capitals got off to a blazing start thanks to Shafali Verma's explosive 43 off just 18 balls. However, Mumbai fought back with key wickets falling at regular intervals. The match seemed to be tilting in Mumbai's favor until the debutant Niki Prasad stepped up, scoring a crucial 35 off 33 balls. With the match hanging in the balance, it was Arundhati Reddy who sealed the victory for Delhi, diving to make her ground on the last ball.
Brief Scores: Delhi Capitals - 165/8 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma - 43, Amelia Kerr - 2/21) defeated Mumbai Indians - 164 all out in 19.1 overs (Nat Sciver-Burnt - 80*, Annabel Sutherland - 3/34) by a margin of 2 wickets with 0 balls to spare
This match was not just about the nail-biting finish but also about the strategic decisions made by the captains. Delhi's choice to bowl first on a pitch that initially favored the batsmen was a gamble that paid off, thanks to their disciplined bowling attack. Mumbai's batting, although led by Sciver-Brunt, lacked the partnerships needed to set a daunting total, giving Delhi a fighting chance. This win could set the tone for Delhi's campaign in the WPL 2025, showcasing their ability to thrive under pressure.
