Lizelle Lee showcased her powerful batting skills, while Shafali Verma made significant contributions all around, setting the stage for Delhi Capitals’ first victory under captain Jemimah Rodrigues. The team narrowly escaped another last-over scare, triumphing over UP Warriorz by seven wickets in a nail-biting contest during the seventh match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. This win marked a crucial addition to their points tally.
Laura Wolvaardt’s composed finish brought a sense of calm, sealing the dramatic chase with a final-ball victory for Delhi. The Capitals’ earlier success stemmed from a disciplined bowling effort, with Shafali Verma (2-11), Marizanne Kapp (2-14), and Shree Charani (1-29) excelling in restricting UP Warriorz to a mere 154 runs for 8 wickets.
Despite losing the toss, UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning shone with a solid 54 runs, supported by Harleen Deol’s 47 runs from 36 deliveries. A controversial decision by head coach Abhishek Nayar to retire Deol after the 17th over backfired, resulting in a stunning collapse that left UP struggling to set a competitive total.
In response, Delhi Capitals began their chase aggressively, with Lee and Verma quickly dismantling UP’s new-ball attack, accumulating 94 runs in just over 11 overs. Verma contributed a brisk 36 runs off 32 balls, hitting six boundaries before Asha Shobana claimed her wicket in the 12th over with a brilliant catch by Deepti Sharma. Lee maintained her dominance, reaching a half-century in just over 31 balls, but was dismissed for a remarkable 67 runs off 44 balls after miscuing a delivery from Deepti Sharma.
Taking over at No. 3, Wolvaardt displayed poise while leading the chase, with Jemimah Rodrigues adding a quick 21 runs off 14 balls. As the pressure mounted with seven runs needed from the final eight balls, Rodrigues attempted to take on Deepti but ended up giving a catch to Harleen Deol, bringing the match to another tense conclusion.
Sophie Ecclestone entered the last over needing to defend six runs. The over began with a dot ball, followed by a full toss that Kapp struck for four. A couple of dot balls kept UP’s hopes alive, but a failed LBW review led to a leg bye that leveled the scores on the penultimate delivery.
With one run required off the last ball and the field tightening, Wolvaardt kept her cool, driving the ball through the covers for four runs. She finished the match unbeaten on 25 runs off 24 balls, leading the Capitals to a much-needed seven-wicket victory after yet another last-over scare.
Brief scores: UP Warriorz 154/8 in 20 overs (Meg Lanning 54, Harleen Deol 47; Shafali Verma 2/16, Marizanne Kapp 2-24) lost to Delhi Capitals 158/3 in 20 overs (Lizelle Lee 67, Shafali Verma 36; Deepti Sharma 2-26, Asha Sobhana 1-20) by seven wickets.