The highly anticipated clash between the Delhi Capitals Women (DEL-W) and the Mumbai Indians Women (MUM-W) unfolded on February 28, 2025, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. With both teams eager to reinforce their positions at the top of the points table, the match was not only pivotal for momentum but also for bragging rights.
DEL-W's captain, Meg Lanning, won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to take advantage of the pitch conditions. Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, set out to make the most of their batting opportunity, aiming to build on their strong start to the season.
From the outset, Mumbai's innings showed promise; they reached 35 runs without losing any wickets after just five overs. Openers Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia exhibited aggressive intent, with Bhatia smashing sixes off the bowling of Shikha Pandey, who finished her opening spell effectively, claiming the wicket of Bhatia for 10 runs.
Following Yastika's dismissal, it was not long before Mumbai suffered another blow as Hayley Matthews fell for 22 runs, caught behind off the bowling of Jess Jonassen. The pressure began to mount on the Mumbai innings as they lost their third wicket with Nat Sciver-Brunt departing for just 17 runs, leaving the team reeling at 73 for 3.
Despite the challenges, Mumbai's captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, was determined to stabilize the innings. Her efforts, along with Sciver-Brunt, temporarily rescued the innings; yet they both returned to the pavilion shortly after, pegging Mumbai back at 85 for 5. Kaur was dismissed by Jonassen for 11 runs, leaving the responsibility on the shoulders of the middle order.
By the end of 15 overs, Mumbai was sitting at 93 for 4. Jess Jonassen continued her exceptional bowling, having taken two key wickets and making life tough for the Mumbai batters. Mumbai's innings wrapped up at 105 runs, with Amelia Kerr remaining not out at 12 runs, thanks to Shikha Pandey's disciplined spell of 1 for 16 runs from four overs.
Chasing 106 runs, the Delhi Capitals Women began their innings with caution but quickly advanced at the run rate. The opening duo of Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning established a solid foundation, with some fluent strokes demonstrating their aggressive mindset.
Verma played confidently, finding gaps and pushing for singles, but like their rivals, the Capitals soon found themselves against the ropes. The loss of Lanning at 48 runs ignited the nerves within the camp, as Delhi's innings began to falter momentarily with subsequent wickets falling cheaply.
DEL-W's middle order failed to capitalize on the momentum, and soon they found themselves at 70 for 4. The onus fell on the seasoned batter, Jemimah Rodrigues, to steer the innings. Rodrigues played cautiously, forming brief partnerships but the mounting pressure from the bowling attack kept the run rate stagnant.
The turning point came when Rodrigues, seeking to accelerate, was trapped lbw, leading the team to 85 for 6, intensifying the tension among Delhi supporters. Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen attempted to keep the innings alive but it was clear with each passing ball the job was getting tougher.
With only four balls left and needing 12 runs to win, Delhi succumbed to the pressure, handing victory to the Mumbai Indians. The final score read 105 all out for Delhi Capitals, with Kapp managing just 16 runs before falling to Shabnim Ismail.
This match was characteristic of the fierce competition within the Women’s Premier League, underscoring the challenges and twists inherent to T20 cricket. Mumbai’s triumph marked their fourth consecutive win of the season, putting them firmly at the top of the standings, whereas Delhi, who had started so brightly, found themselves needing to reflect and regroup.
Both teams now look forward to building on their performances; the winning team will seek to maintain their momentum, and the runners-up aim to bounce back valiantly and recapture their early-season form. The rivalry continues with both sides eager for the next encounter.