Defending champions Mumbai Indians delivered a powerful response to their opening-day loss, securing a comprehensive 50-run victory over Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 on Saturday, January 10. The match, held at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, was defined by masterful batting from senior pros Harmanpreet Kaur and Natalie Sciver-Brunt, followed by a disciplined bowling performance that left DC reeling.
Captain's Knock: Harmanpreet Kaur Schools Young Bowler
With Mumbai Indians needing a strong finish to their innings, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur turned the final over into a masterclass. Facing young left-arm spinner Sree Charani, the Indian captain showcased her vast experience. Exploiting an inside-out field set by stand-in DC captain Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet plundered 19 runs off the over.
She began by chipping a ball over cover for two, then lofted the next two deliveries for boundaries. Even after Rodrigues adjusted the field, Harmanpreet was in complete control. She swept a ball on the stumps for four and then played the shot of the over, shaping to sweep a wide delivery before deftly steering it past short third man for another boundary. This assault propelled MI to a formidable total and showcased the gulf in experience at a crucial moment.
Harmanpreet finished unbeaten on a brilliant 74 off just 42 balls, an innings laced with eight fours and three sixes. It was a perfect captain's innings, leading from the front after a narrow defeat less than 24 hours earlier.
Nat Sciver-Brunt's Textbook Brilliance
While Harmanpreet provided the late fireworks, it was Natalie Sciver-Brunt who laid the foundation for Mumbai's big score. After an early wicket, the England all-rounder played a classical and chanceless knock of 70 from 46 deliveries.
In an era often associated with unorthodox hitting, Sciver-Brunt was a picture of textbook perfection. She moved around the crease with intent but never lost her shape, striking 13 boundaries all around the wicket. Her drives, cuts, sweeps, and pulls kept the DC fielders on constant alert. She formed a pivotal 66-run partnership off 47 balls with Harmanpreet, doing the bulk of the scoring during their stand before the skipper took over.
Carey's Triple Strike Derails DC Chase
Chasing a stiff target of 196, Delhi Capitals' hopes rested on a strong start from their powerful top order. However, Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey, playing in place of the unavailable Hayley Matthews, delivered decisive early blows.
In a game-changing over, Carey dismissed both Shafali Verma and Laura Wolvaardt in the space of three balls. Both batters were clean bowled by deliveries that nipped back in sharply, exposing the gap between bat and pad. Carey later removed the dangerous Marizanne Kapp, who had briefly counter-attacked, to effectively seal the contest with figures of 3 for 37.
With Shabnim Ismail removing Jemimah Rodrigues for just 1 and Sciver-Brunt chipping in with the wicket of opener Lizelle Lee, DC's chase never gained momentum. Amelia Kerr polished off the tail with 3 wickets for 24 runs, bowling out Delhi Capitals for 145 in 19 overs. Alice Healy's fighting 56 was the only notable resistance for the Capitals.
The victory marks a strong comeback for the Mumbai Indians in the WPL 2026 season, demonstrating the value of their experienced core. For Delhi Capitals, it was a harsh lesson in the importance of handling pressure situations, both with the ball and in a high-stakes run chase.
