Delhi Capitals held their nerve in a low-scoring thriller in Vadodara to book a place in the WPL 2026 Eliminator, where they will meet Gujarat Giants. The result also confirmed a historic first, Mumbai Indians missing the playoffs for the first time in the history of this competition.
The night began with a rare statistical footnote. Meg Lanning, playing her 35th WPL innings, registered her first duck in the competition, falling first ball to Chinelle Henry. Only once before had a batter been dismissed on the first ball of a WPL innings, Sophia Dunkley back in 2023. Lanning’s early exit summed up Warriorz’s evening.
Nothing flowed for UPW. Wickets fell at regular intervals and partnerships never developed as Delhi’s bowlers squeezed relentlessly. Marizanne Kapp once again set the tone in the power play, continuing a remarkable season in that phase — seven wickets in eight innings at an economy of just 5.16, the best among regular power play bowlers this year.
Alongside her, Henry and Shree Charani hit disciplined lengths to deny any momentum. UPW limped to 122/8, their second-lowest first-innings total in WPL history.
Delhi’s chase, however, was far from smooth.
Lizelle Lee fell early to a loose stroke, while Laura Wolvaardt and Shafali Verma struggled for fluency. UPW created openings, Wolvaardt was dropped twice, once in a mix-up over a reverse-cup chance and later at short third, moments that would come back to haunt them. The South African made them pay, finding boundaries to steady the innings before departing for 47 off 36.
UPW’s bowlers kept things tight early, with Shikha Pandey and Deandra Dottin using subtle changes of pace to restrict Delhi to 38/1 after six overs. But as the innings wore on, the lack of runs on the board told. Even a late flurry of wickets that briefly opened the door could not prevent Jemimah Rodrigues from calmly steering her side home with a captain’s knock under pressure.
“We do like making hard work of these chases,” DC head coach Jonathan Batty admitted with a smile, “but delighted the captain got us over the line.” He praised Rodrigues’ leadership, calling her decision-making “really, really good” and crediting her growth into the role this season.
For UPW, it was a familiar story of missed moments. “It’s always difficult to defend 120-odd and we needed everything to go our way,” Lanning reflected. “We just haven’t been consistent enough through the season.” Despite the disappointment, she confirmed her future: “I’m still thoroughly enjoying my cricket… absolutely, I’ll be back next year.”
Delhi, meanwhile, march on, not flawless, often dramatic, but alive.
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