Mumbai Indians' decision to retain their core stars paid rich dividends as the duo of Nat Sciver-Brunt and captain Harmanpreet Kaur orchestrated a commanding 50-run victory over Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League on Saturday. The pair's explosive batting laid the foundation for a formidable total of 195 for 4, which proved far too steep for a faltering DC batting lineup, bundled out for 145 in 19 overs.
MI's Batting Masterclass Steals the Show
The match witnessed a classic rescue act from Mumbai's premier batters. After losing early wickets and struggling at 51 for 2 in the seventh over, the innings was stabilised by the third-wicket partnership between Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet. Sciver-Brunt, who had a quiet first game, roared back with a brilliant 70 off just 46 deliveries, peppered with 13 boundaries. The pair added a crucial 47 runs together before the English all-rounder departed.
This set the stage for skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to unleash her fury. She took charge of the innings and remained unbeaten on a scintillating 74 from 42 balls. Her knock provided the late surge, with Mumbai amassing 104 runs in the final 7.2 overs. She found able allies in Nicola Carey (21 off 12) and S Sajana, ensuring the team finished on a powerful note.
Delhi Capitals' Chase Never Takes Off
In response, Delhi Capitals' innings crumbled under scoreboard pressure and disciplined bowling from the Mumbai attack. The top order collapsed to 35 for 4 within the first five overs, effectively ending the contest early. Sciver-Brunt (2/29) struck first to remove Lizelle Lee, while Nicola Carey (3/37) delivered a double-wicket over to dismiss the dangerous Shafali Verma and Laura Wolvaardt. Speedster Shabnim Ismail (1/14) compounded DC's woes by sending captain Jemimah Rodrigues back cheaply.
The only resistance came from West Indian batter Chinelle Henry, who played a lone hand of 56 off 33 balls. However, her efforts were in vain as the rest of the batting lineup failed to build partnerships, with the team eventually bowled out for 145.
Key Takeaways and Looking Ahead
This dominant performance underscored Mumbai Indians' strength and depth. The team showcased its ability to bounce back from an initial setback, with its retained stars proving their worth. The comprehensive nature of the win, built on both a batting blitz and a clinical bowling display, sends a strong message to other teams in the WPL 2026 tournament. For Delhi Capitals, the heavy defeat highlights concerns over over-reliance on the top order and the need for middle-order resilience.
Fans can follow the latest WPL 2026 updates, including the full schedule, live scores for all teams like Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Delhi Capitals, and the Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings as the season progresses.
