On February 28, 2025, the Delhi Capitals Women (DC) faced the Mumbai Indians Women (MI) in the 13th match of the Women's Premier League (WPL) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Both teams entered the match with strong performances, each securing three wins in the tournament so far. This match was crucial, as the winner would lead the points table.
Match Overview
The game commenced at 7:30 PM IST under clear skies. The pitch at M Chinnaswamy Stadium is known for being batting-friendly, promising a high-scoring encounter. Captains from both sides emphasized the importance of this match in their pre-game interviews.
First Innings: Delhi Capitals Women Batting
DC won the toss and chose to bat first. Openers Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning started cautiously against MI's disciplined bowling attack. Lanning, however, was dismissed early, continuing her struggle for form this season. Jess Jonassen was promoted to No. 3, a strategy that had previously paid off for DC. Jonassen and Verma built a solid partnership, with Jonassen displaying aggressive strokes and Verma providing steady support. Jonassen's quick 61 off 32 balls, including boundaries to all parts of the ground, was the highlight of the innings. Verma contributed 44 runs off 27 balls. Despite a middle-order collapse, DC managed to post a competitive total of 165 for 7 in their 20 overs.
Second Innings: Mumbai Indians Women Batting
Chasing 166, MI's innings began with a setback as opener Yastika Bhatia was dismissed for a duck. Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt then took charge, stabilizing the innings. Matthews, despite a recent lean patch, found her rhythm, scoring a composed 59 off 50 balls. Sciver-Brunt continued her exceptional form, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 75 off 44 balls. Their partnership ensured MI remained ahead of the required run rate. DC's bowlers struggled to break this partnership, and MI successfully chased down the target in 17 overs, winning by 8 wickets.
Key Performances
Nat Sciver-Brunt (MI): Her all-round performance was pivotal. She not only took 3 wickets for 18 runs, restricting DC's total, but also scored an unbeaten 75, guiding MI to victory.
Jess Jonassen (DC): Promoted to No. 3, Jonassen's aggressive 61 off 32 balls provided momentum to DC's innings.
Hayley Matthews (MI): Returning to form, Matthews' 59 off 50 balls was crucial in the successful chase.
Points Table Update
This victory propelled MI to the top of the WPL points table.
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians Women | 5 | 4 | 1 | 8 | +0.85 |
| Delhi Capitals Women | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -0.15 |
| Royal Challengers | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | +0.50 |
| UP Warriorz | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -0.12 |
| Gujarat Giants | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | -0.90 |
Post-Match Reactions
MI's captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, praised her team's performance, highlighting Sciver-Brunt's all-round contribution as a game-changer. DC's skipper, Meg Lanning, acknowledged the need for more consistent batting performances from the top order.
Looking Ahead
MI will aim to maintain their winning momentum in the upcoming matches, while DC will look to regroup and address their middle-order vulnerabilities. With the tournament approaching its crucial phase, every match holds significant importance for the teams' standings.
This match showcased the competitive spirit of the WPL, with top-class performances from both sides, keeping fans eagerly anticipating the forthcoming fixtures.
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