At Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on February 15, the Delhi Capitals defeated the Mumbai Indians in a thrilling match by chasing down 165 runs off the last ball in Match 2 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025.
The first champions, batting first, got off to a bad start as Hayley Matthews left for a duck and Yastika Bhatia (11) came shortly after. But Nat Sciver-Brunt, who hit 13 boundaries and scored 80* off 59 balls, was the innings’ mainstay. MI scored 164 thanks to a fast-paced 42 off 22 from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who finished her innings with four fours and three sixes.
Shikha Pandey (2/14) and Annabel Sutherland (3/34) were DC’s best bowlers, limiting Mumbai Indians scores in the last overs.
Shafali Verma’s brilliant 43 off 18 balls gave the Delhi Capitals a strong start. The Capitals maintained the necessary rate even after she was fired early. Under pressure, debutant Niki Prasad scored a significant 35 off 33, while Sarah Bryce’s cameo of 21 off 10 balls was vital.
Arundhati Reddy maintained her composure to lead DC over the finish line with two runs needed off the last delivery. MI lost the match by two wickets, despite three wickets each from Shabnim Ismail (1/18) and Amelia Kerr (2/21).
Talking Points from Match 2 of WPL 2025
1. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s explosive knock
With an incredible undefeated 80 off 59 balls to start her WPL 2025 season, Nat Sciver-Brunt led the Mumbai Indians to 164 in 19.1 overs. Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain, provided her with short-term support as she hammered 13 boundaries and hit 42 off 22 balls to record 8,000 T20 runs. Their stand of 73 runs gave MI stability. During her stay of 79 minutes, she hit the ball at a rate of 135.59. With Brunt’s powerful knock, her team was able to reach a manageable total.
2. Harmanpreet Kaur hammers DC bowlers all over the park
Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Mumbai Indians, showed off her batting prowess by hitting 42 off of just 22 balls. She paired with Nat Sciver-Brunt (80*) and walked in at 32/2. In the eleventh over, Harmanpreet faced Annabel Sutherland and hit three fours and a six in four balls. She also punished Radha Yadav by hitting a huge six to maximise a free hit.
3. Niki Prasad’s late cameo guides Delhi home
Niki Prasad, the captain of India’s U-19 World Cup-winning team, made an unforgettable WPL debut by playing a pivotal knock to give Delhi their first victory of the year. Prasad retained her composure and anchored the innings with a late cameo of 35 off 33 balls, including four boundaries, after entering the game during a frantic chase. Delhi achieved the goal thanks in large part to her innings. Sajana’s bowling eventually led to Prasad’s dismissal, but she had already done enough to help her team win.
Who Said What?
Winning skipper, Meg Lanning:
That was way too stressful. I thought we were well on track, Shikha bowled well and put us in a great position. Happpy to get on the board. The bowlers executed really well and you just gotta keep changing it up when the batters get set and it was nice ability to keep that to that score. Niki did an excellent job to come in at a tricky time and accelerate at the end. Radha played her part as well. Really good win.
Losing skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur:
I think, even though we were not able to set a decent total, we thought we could cross 200 when me and Nat Sciver-Brunt were there. The five balls cost us but our bowlers did well and we were in the match till the last ball. Ismail is someone who is a great bowler and it is a privilege that she is in our side. Saika is someone who bowls for the team and unfortunately we misfielded and that cost us. Playing full 20 overs and whoever is there, that batter should bat till the end. Even myself I should have continued till the end. Our batters need to take more responsibility in the next game.
Player of the Match, Niki Prasad:
This is the first game for me in WPL and all I wanted to do was go out there and express myself. I did visualize before the game and I knew what I had to do and that is what I did. The situation we were in, singles weren’t enough and all I wanted to do with those singles was some calculative boundaries as well. Motivated to go out there and give my best
India
