WPL 2024/25, DC-W vs MI-W 2nd Match Match Report, February 15, 2025

Delhi Capitals narrowly defeated Mumbai Indians by two wickets in a thrilling WPL 2025 match, finishing at 165 for 8. Shafali Verma’s explosive 43 off 18 set the stage, while Niki Prasad’s steady 35 off 33 was crucial in the tense chase. Mumbai’s Nat Sciver-Brunt scored an impressive 80*, backed by Harmanpreet Kaur’s 42, helping them post 164. The match featured dramatic run-out decisions and momentum shifts, with both teams experiencing collapses. Ultimately, Arundhati Reddy’s last-ball dive secured the victory for Delhi, as they chased down the target in a nail-biting finish.

Delhi Capitals 165 for 8 (Shafali 43, Prasad 35, Kerr 2-22, Matthews 2-31) triumphed over Mumbai Indians 164 (Sciver-Brunt 80*, Harmanpreet 42, Sutherland 3-34, Pandey 2-14) by two wickets

Less than a day after chasing down 202 with ease during the inaugural match of WPL 2025, the Delhi Capitals faced a challenging target of 165 on the same pitch against the Mumbai Indians, ultimately sealing a thrilling victory on the final ball. The match came down to needing 30 runs from 18 balls, then 10 from 6, and finally two runs from the last ball, with Arundhati Reddy diving to secure the winning runs by a matter of mere centimetres.

Niki Prasad, the captain of the Under-19 World Cup-winning team, will cherish her WPL debut for bringing DC to the brink of victory. She anchored the innings with her 35 off 33 and started the last over with a four while needing 10 runs, but fell in the quest for the winning runs with just two required off two balls.

Both innings experienced dramatic collapses despite explosive performances from key batsmen. Nat Sciver-Brunt guided MI to a commendable total with her unbeaten 80 off 59 while Harmanpreet Kaur scored a quick 42 off 22, but Mumbai soon crumbled, losing 7 wickets for just 35 runs. On the other side, Shafali Verma’s brisk 43 off 18 initiated a powerful start for DC, amassing 60 runs in the powerplay, but they quickly lost four wickets for a mere 16 runs, heightening the tension and leading to a nail-biting finish.

The three controversial run-outs that were overlooked

As the match intensified with DC losing wickets, three critical run-out decisions were referred to the third umpire, Gayathri Venugopalan, which ultimately influenced the outcome. The first instance occurred in the 18th over when Shikha Pandey was deemed not out on her first ball, allowing DC to score a bye. Despite no part of Pandey’s bat appearing to be within the crease when the LED light flashed, the third umpire ruled it not out, referencing a subsequent television frame where the bails had been dislodged.

The next critical moment came in the following over with DC requiring 16 runs from eight balls. Radha Yadav was ruled not out after her bat bounced off the ground during a diving attempt, with the bat airborne when the wicket was broken, although the umpire was again noted as rationalizing the decision despite the stumps being clearly broken. Radha subsequently sent the next ball over the boundary for six, lowering the target to 10 off the last over.

The final instance occurred on the last ball of the match, with DC needing two from two. Reddy attempted a dive for the second run, resulting in the stumps lighting up while her bat seemed near the crease line; however, the third umpire again ruled it not out, triggering celebrations for DC.

Shafali ignites the powerplay for DC

Shafali emerged with an aggressive mindset despite Shabnim Ismail making Meg Lanning look bewildered against her outswingers, managing to beat her six times in 12 balls before eventually toppling her off stump. At the other end, Shafali launched a formidable attack on Saika Ishaque, scoring 22 runs in a single over. She opened with a massive six over covers followed by four consecutive boundaries, three racing to the off-side and one sailing straight back over Ishaque’s head. Shafali continued her assault, commanding 15 runs from Hayley Matthews in the closing powerplay over with two fours and a six, although she mistimed another shot that was caught in midwicket.

Two WPL newcomers stay calm for DC

Shortly after, Lanning fell when Ismail struck again, marking the beginning of four successive wickets falling in quick succession as Jemimah Rodrigues was taken out by Amelia Kerr, and Annabel Sutherland was bowled by a low delivery from Sciver-Brunt. Just when DC believed a partnership between Alice Capsey and Prasad, totaling 33 runs, was steering them back on course, Capsey was caught by Ismail at long-on, leaving DC in a precarious position, needing 56 runs from 31 balls with five wickets down.

However, the dynamics shifted again when another WPL debutant, Sarah Bryce, also looted runs off Ishaque and followed an edged four against Sciver-Brunt with a well-placed six towards the leg side. Sadly, Bryce fell shortly after, scoring 21 off 10, but Prasad retained her composure, bringing the lower order into the last over as the match reached its dramatic conclusion.

Pandey’s precision and Sciver-Brunt’s brilliance

Pandey commenced her WPL journey spectacularly, showcasing exceptional inswing deliveries that troubled both right and left-hand batsmen. She claimed two wickets early on; first in the opening over, getting Matthews to edge to slip for a duck, followed by Yastika Bhatia, whom she bowled for a mere 8 runs in an economical spell of 3 overs, taking 2 wickets for just 8 runs.

However, the other bowlers faced more difficulty. Capsey struggled, conceding 19 runs in one over, while Sciver-Brunt displayed impressive finesse by finding the gaps for boundaries. She delicately dabbed a ball from Capsey for a late run, scooped one off Reddy towards the leg side, and executed forceful pulls to assist MI in reaching 41 for 2 during the powerplay.

Harmanpreet unleashes her power

Known for her gradual starts that quickly escalate in intensity within T20 matches, Harmanpreet unleashed her power in the eighth over. After elegantly guiding Radha over cover-point for four off a no-ball, she hit the free hit over long-off for six, resulting in an 18-run over. In the next over, she struck Reddy for another six over long-on, contributing to a 15-run over before her onslaught was cut short.

Following consecutive fours off Sutherland towards the off-side, she belted another six over midwicket to mark her 8000th T20 run, immediately followed by a four over point. However, her attempt for another off-side slash resulted in a catch to Prasad, leaving MI unable to score another six for the remainder of the innings.

Sciver-Brunt remains the last woman standing

By this point, Sciver-Brunt had struck eight fours, guiding MI past the 100-run mark with a 20-run over from Sutherland. She brought up her fifty off just 36 balls, keeping MI in contention at a required rate of 10 runs per over with seven overs left and seven wickets in hand.

However, MI’s fortunes dwindled rapidly as they lost wickets in almost every subsequent over. Kerr was run out at the non-striker’s end after Minnu Mani deflected a ball back towards her, S Sajana edged a slower delivery to the keeper, Amanjot Kaur yorked herself against Capsey, and two more run-outs occurred as tailenders attempted to give strike back to Sciver-Brunt. When she finally received the strike, she utilized her strength to dispatch the older ball, concluding with her highest WPL score.

Vishal Dikshit is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo