It was a nervy win for Delhi Capitals (DC), as they finally opened their account in the ongoing WPL 2026, defeating UP Warriorz (UPW) by seven wickets at DY Patil Stadium. The 155-run target set by UPW looked comfortable on paper, but turned tricky as their bowlers put the DC batters under sustained pressure.
Chasing the target, DC got off to a strong start. On a pitch where the ball gripped and slowed as it aged, Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma added 94 for the opening wicket in 11.4 overs. Shafali scored 36 off 32, while Lee played some outstanding shots before departing for 67 off 44.
However, once Laura Wolvaardt and skipper Jemimah Rodrigues were at the crease, UPW spinners Asha Sobhana and Deepti Sharma began extracting turn. What once looked like an easy chase suddenly became uncomfortable. Jemimah used the sweep shot effectively to score 21 off 14, but, like in the Gujarat Giants clash, the shot selection and timing of her dismissal left DC fans frustrated.
DC needed six runs in the final over. Against Sophie Ecclestone, Marizanne Kapp’s batting left many shell-shocked. Despite striking a boundary off the second ball, DC still required two runs from the final two deliveries. A leg-bye followed before a calm and composed Wolvaardt produced a glorious shot off the last ball to seal the win. Reading the conditions well, Wolvaardt stayed till the end, finishing unbeaten on 25 off 24.
Earlier, UPW posted 154/8, but their approach and decision-making raised questions. Kiran Navgire endured another poor outing, falling for a three-ball duck. Phoebe Litchfield made a brisk start but failed to convert, scoring 27 off 20. At No. 4, Harleen Deol looked fluent on a tricky surface and added 85 runs for the third wicket with skipper Meg Lanning. Facing her former side, Lanning brought up her first fifty of the season — a well-made 54 off 38.
However, Harleen was asked to retire out on 47 off 36, a move that backfired badly. UPW collapsed from 132/2 to 154/8, losing their final six wickets for just 24 runs. The decision to send Deepti in at No. 9, with Sobhana and Sophie Ecclestone promoted ahead of her, further raised eyebrows.
For DC, Kapp picked up two wickets, while Sneh Rana, Nandni Sharma, and N Shree Charani claimed one each. Shafali also impressed with the ball, picking up two wickets and bowling an excellent 20th over. She was adjudged the Player of the Match for her all-round performance.
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