Delhi Capitals Edge Mumbai Indians in WPL 2025 Thriller

Shikha Pandey Shines as DC Secures Nail-Biting Victory

In a thrilling start to the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025, Delhi Capitals (DC) pulled off a last-ball victory against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. The high-intensity match saw DC chase down 165, with Arundhati Reddy holding her nerve to seal a dramatic two-wicket win.

Team Effort Seals the Win for Delhi Capitals

Reflecting on the exhilarating contest, Shikha Pandey, who played a pivotal role with the ball, expressed her joy at starting the tournament with a win.

"Last time, the tournament opener was quite similar, but we ended up on the wrong side of the result. This time, we are on the right side, and it has been a team effort," said Pandey.

DC’s bowling attack, led by Pandey, restricted MI to 164, a total that seemed competitive on a batting-friendly surface. Pandey’s outstanding spell of 2/14 in four overs was instrumental in applying pressure on Mumbai’s batters.

Shikha Pandey’s Magic with the New Ball

Pandey, known for her ability to swing the ball, was delighted with her bowling performance.

"I had a lot of fun bowling with the new ball. I knew that whatever magic I had to do had to be in the first few overs because we saw last night’s game, and it's going to be a flat wicket," she explained.

Her ability to extract movement and execute perfect swing deliveries kept MI’s top order in check, ensuring that DC gained early control.

"I just kept telling myself that I should be able to swing the ball off the hand, and that's something I’ve been working on," she added.

Delhi’s Tactical Execution Against MI

DC’s success wasn’t just about individual brilliance but also about well-executed strategies. Pandey credited Meg Lanning’s captaincy and the team’s preparation for the well-planned bowling effort.

"Meg (Lanning) goes by her gut feeling a lot, that's what she keeps telling. The management, coaches, and the captain spend a lot of time on matchups. It’s not just Mumbai that we plan against; we actually plan against all other teams as well," Pandey revealed.

Lanning’s leadership and the team’s meticulous planning ensured that MI’s batters never got a free flow of runs, leading to timely breakthroughs.

Niki Prasad Impresses on WPL Debut

One of the biggest positives for DC was the performance of debutant Niki Prasad, who played a crucial 35 off 33 balls under pressure. Pandey was full of praise for the young batter’s temperament in a high-stakes game.

"I’m really happy for Niki (Prasad). This was her first game, and she showed a lot of character in such a high-intensity match. She took us really close to the win," Pandey said.

Prasad’s innings provided stability in the middle order, ensuring that DC remained in the hunt despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Her ability to handle pressure bodes well for DC as they move deeper into the tournament.

What’s Next for Delhi Capitals?

After this thrilling opening encounter, Delhi Capitals will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on February 17. With momentum on their side, DC will look to build on this winning start and continue their strong campaign in WPL 2025.

With a mix of experienced leaders like Meg Lanning and rising stars like Niki Prasad, DC appears to be a formidable unit in this year’s tournament.

Will they carry this momentum forward and establish themselves as early contenders for the title? Cricket fans eagerly await the next chapter in DC’s WPL 2025 journey.