South African wicketkeeper-batter Lizelle Lee delivered another explosive performance on Wednesday night. Playing her debut Women's Premier League season, Lee smashed her second consecutive half-century to anchor Delhi Capitals' nerve-wracking seven-wicket triumph over UP Warriorz. The thrilling encounter unfolded at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium.
Lee Shines in Tense Chase
The 33-year-old Lee, fresh from a powerful 86-run knock against Gujarat Giants, continued her rich form. She scored a brisk 67 runs from just 44 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries and three sixes. Her partnership with Indian opener Shafali Verma provided a solid foundation for Delhi's chase of 155 runs. The duo added 94 crucial runs in 69 balls, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Last-Over Drama Seals Victory
The match reached a fever pitch in the final over. UP Warriorz, fighting back strongly, left Delhi Capitals needing six runs from the last six balls. South African captain Laura Wolvaardt held her nerve beautifully. With two runs required from the final delivery, Wolvaardt smashed a boundary through the covers to seal the win. Her unbeaten 25 runs from 24 balls proved decisive.
This victory marked Delhi Capitals' first win in WPL 2026. It was also the initial triumph under their new captain, Jemimah Rodrigues. Unfortunately, the stadium remained empty due to local municipal elections scheduled for Thursday. No crowds were permitted to attend the exciting contest.
UP Warriorz' Struggles Continue
For the UP Warriorz, the loss represented their third consecutive defeat in the tournament. This disappointing start comes under new head coach Abhishek Nayar. The team's innings of 154 for eight in 20 overs featured several puzzling decisions that backfired spectacularly.
Controversial Retirement Stirs Debate
The most controversial moment occurred when Indian batter Harleen Deol was surprisingly retired out while batting on 47 runs. Coach Nayar made the call, aiming to accelerate the scoring in the final overs. Deol appeared visibly shocked as she left the crease.
This move proved costly. Harleen Deol, an experienced player and member of India's World Cup-winning squad last year, was denied a well-deserved half-century. The decision seemed to disrupt the team's momentum completely.
Chloe Tryon, playing her first match after three years, replaced Deol at the crease. She managed only a single run before getting caught, triggering a dramatic collapse. The Warriorz lost six wickets for just 20 runs in 26 balls, squandering a strong position.
Questionable Team Decisions
Several other strategic choices raised eyebrows. India's star all-rounder Deepti Sharma was underutilized throughout the match. She came to bat at number nine in the final over, scoring only two runs. Her bowling was introduced as late as the 15th over, a puzzling delay given her proven abilities.
Earlier, UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning scored a fluent half-century against her former team. Her 54 runs from 38 balls, featuring nine fours and a six, seemed to set a competitive total. However, the middle-order collapse undermined her efforts completely.
Bowling Efforts and Tournament Context
Delhi Capitals' bowlers performed commendably. South African speedster Marizanne Kapp claimed two wickets for 24 runs in her four overs. Shafali Verma showcased her all-round skills by taking two crucial wickets in the final over, finishing with impressive figures of 2-16.
For the Warriorz, opener Kiran Navgire's poor tournament continued. The Maharashtra batter was dismissed for a low score once again, caught off Kapp's bowling early in the innings. Lanning and Harleen Deol had built a promising 85-run partnership for the third wicket, but the late collapse proved fatal.
The Women's Premier League continues to produce thrilling cricket. Delhi Capitals will take confidence from this hard-fought victory, while UP Warriorz must address their tactical issues quickly to revive their campaign.
