The UP Warriorz tasted victory for the first time this season, overcoming the Delhi Capitals by 33 runs during the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025, held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on February 22. This match became notable for Grace Harris, who not only clinched her hat-trick but was also instrumental with decisive bowling actions, and Chinelle Henry, whose explosive form at the crease set the tone for the match.
Batting first after losing the toss, the UP Warriorz managed to set their opponents a target of 178 runs, finishing their innings at 177 for 9. This total was achieved largely thanks to Henry, who delivered one of the tournament's most electrifying performances to date. Scoring 62 runs off just 23 balls, Henry equaled the record for the fastest fifty in WPL history, reaching this milestone within just 18 balls, showcasing her phenomenal power-hitting skills.
Henry's innings boasted eight sixes and two fours, painting the scoreboard with thrilling boundaries. Despite the Warriorz faltering at 91 for 6, she turned the tide by relentlessly attacking the bowling attack, at one point hitting four consecutive sixes which propelled her team to a competitive total. That surge provided the margin needed for their frontline bowlers to seal the win.
The Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, struggled significantly during their chase, crumbling to 144 all out within 19.3 overs. Key for the Warriorz were the bowling performances of Kranti Goud and Grace Harris, each taking four wickets. Harris made history by securing her hat-trick, claiming three wickets in the last over of the match. This remarkable feat made her the third player ever to achieve this milestone within the WPL.
Harris began her hat-trick by dismissing Niki Prasad, caught by Chinelle Henry, and then continued her remarkable streak dismissing Arundhati Reddy shortly thereafter with Shweta Sehrawat catching the ball at cover point. The crowning moment of her performance came when she caught Minnu Mani off her own bowling, effectively sealing the victory for her team.
Reflecting on the match afterward, Harris noted, "That was not good bowling on my part, but it was fantastic to get the win! We enjoyed ourselves and hope this 'turns the tide' for us going forward." Her positivity and confidence illustrated the camaraderie within the Warriorz and their determination moving through the tournament.
Jemimah Rodrigues was the standout batter for Delhi Capitals, scoring 56 runs off 35 balls, but her effort couldn't save her team from their eventual demise. The Capitals lost wickets at regular intervals, with Kranti Goud providing brilliant early breakthroughs. Goud not only took significant wickets but ended with notable figures of 4 for 25 in her four overs, demonstrating her valuable contributions to the team.
The match saw the Delhi Capitals' batting line-up struggle against accurate bowling, failing to build partnerships. With star players like Meg Lanning being dismissed early, the team was left with too much ground to cover and faced considerable pressure. Their innings faltered under the weight of necessity, leaving them scrambling to accumulate runs but falling short of the target.
The UP Warriorz, propelled by this win, set the tone for their upcoming matches, showcasing the potential this group can achieve. Chinelle Henry's performance not only lifted the team's spirits but also underscored her role as a key player moving forward.
She expressed after the match, "My role is clear. I have to finish the game, and I think I did well today. It's about backing my skills and executing my strengths when it matters.” Her mindset reflects the kind of approach needed throughout the rest of the tournament.
This victory might just mark the turnaround the team needed early on, and with players like Harris and Henry stepping up, the Warriorz look poised for more success going forward.
Clearly, excitement looms for the remaining fixtures of WPL 2025 as the UP Warriorz secure their first points, potentially establishing momentum for the remainder of the league.