WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians Women Thrash Delhi Capitals Women by 50 Runs in Thrilling Encounter

Navi Mumbai, Jan 2026 : Mumbai Indians Women produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Delhi Capitals Women by 50 runs in the third match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on Saturday, January 10. After being put in to bat, Mumbai posted an imposing total of 195 for 4, riding on authoritative innings from Nat Sciver-Brunt and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. The bowlers then backed up the batters brilliantly, with Amelia Kerr and Nicola Carey picking up three wickets each to dismantle Delhi’s chase and seal Mumbai’s first win of the season in emphatic fashion.

Delhi Capitals captain Jemimah Rodrigues won the toss and chose to bowl, hoping her side could restrict Mumbai on a surface that offered good bounce and carry. However, the decision soon proved costly as Mumbai’s experienced middle order took full advantage of the conditions. Mumbai suffered an early setback when opener Amelia Kerr was dismissed for a duck, but that was the only moment of joy for Delhi in the opening phase.

JG Kamalini and Nat Sciver-Brunt steadied the innings with a solid partnership for the second wicket. Kamalini played sensibly, rotating the strike and picking up boundaries when offered width, before departing for 16. Sciver-Brunt, meanwhile, looked fluent from the outset, timing the ball sweetly through the covers and square of the wicket. Her calm presence ensured Mumbai maintained momentum without taking unnecessary risks.

The innings truly came alive when captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined Sciver-Brunt at the crease. The pair stitched together a vital 66-run partnership for the third wicket, shifting gears seamlessly as the innings progressed. Sciver-Brunt played a classy knock of 70 off 46 balls, striking 13 fours and showcasing her ability to control the tempo of the game. Harmanpreet complemented her perfectly, starting cautiously before launching a brutal assault in the latter half of the innings.

Harmanpreet’s unbeaten 74 came off just 42 deliveries and included eight boundaries and three towering sixes. Her clean hitting, particularly straight down the ground and over midwicket, left the Delhi bowlers searching for answers. Mumbai finished strongly to post 195 for 4, a total that always looked beyond Delhi’s reach. For Delhi Capitals, Nandini Sharma was the most effective bowler with figures of 2 for 26, while Chinelle Henry and Shri Charani picked up one wicket apiece.

Chasing a challenging target of 196, Delhi Capitals needed a solid start but instead suffered a dramatic collapse at the top. Lizelle Lee began with a couple of crisp boundaries but was dismissed for 10, chipping a catch to mid-on off Nat Sciver-Brunt. Shafali Verma followed soon after, bowled by a sharp inswinger from Nicola Carey that sneaked through the gate. Carey struck again to remove Laura Wolvaardt, who was undone by movement back into the stumps.

Delhi’s problems worsened when captain Jemimah Rodrigues was dismissed for just one run, attempting a cut shot off Shabnim Ismail only to be caught brilliantly by wicketkeeper JG Kamalini, who completed a sharp one-handed diving catch. By the end of the powerplay, Delhi had lost most of their top order, and the chase was already slipping away.

Marizanne Kapp tried to rebuild but was dismissed for 10, edging a lofted drive off Nicola Carey to short third. Niki Prasad and Chinelle Henry offered some resistance, finding the boundary regularly and briefly lifting Delhi’s hopes. However, Amelia Kerr struck at a crucial moment, bowling Prasad with a well-disguised googly as she attempted to go across the line.

Despite wickets tumbling at the other end, Chinelle Henry continued to fight. She played a fearless knock, striking powerful shots all around the ground and bringing up a well-made half-century off just 30 balls. Her 56 was the lone bright spot in Delhi’s innings, but the lack of support meant the target remained out of reach.

Mumbai’s bowling attack remained disciplined and relentless. Amelia Kerr and Nicola Carey finished with three wickets each, exploiting the pressure created by early breakthroughs. Nat Sciver-Brunt chipped in with two wickets, while Sanskriti Gupta and Shabnim Ismail claimed one apiece. Delhi were eventually bowled out for 145 in 19 overs, falling 50 runs short of the target.

The victory marked a strong comeback for Mumbai Indians after losing their opening match of the season. The performance underlined their depth and balance, with senior players stepping up at crucial moments. Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and composure, combined with Sciver-Brunt’s all-round excellence, set the tone for Mumbai’s campaign going forward.

For Delhi Capitals, the defeat highlighted concerns around their batting depth and ability to handle high-pressure chases. While Chinelle Henry’s fighting half-century showed promise, the top-order collapse proved too much to recover from. The team will need to regroup quickly and address these issues as the tournament progresses.

With this emphatic win, Mumbai Indians sent a clear message to the rest of the league that they remain one of the strongest contenders in WPL 2026. Their dominant display with both bat and ball showcased their intent and ensured they opened their account in style, while Delhi Capitals were left searching for answers after a disappointing outing.

Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 195/4 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 74 not out, Nat Sciver-Brunt 70; Nandani Sharma 2-26, Chinelle Henry 1-32) beat Delhi Capitals 145 all out in 19 overs (Chinelle Henry 56; Amelia Kerr 3-24, Nicola Carey 3-37) by 50 runs

Mumbai’s Playing XI: Amelia Kerr, JG Kamalini (wicketkeeper), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Nicola Carey, Sajeevan Sajna, Amanjot Kaur, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Varish, Shabnam Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta

Delhi Capitals Playing XI: Shefali Verma, Lizelle Lee (wicketkeeper), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (captain), Marizanne Kapp, Nikki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Mintu Mani, Shri Charani, Nandini Sharma