In a high-octane encounter at the DY Patil Stadium, the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), showcased exactly why they are the team to beat in TATA WPL 2026. Match 3 of the season saw MI secure a commanding 50-run victory over the Delhi Capitals (DC), bouncing back from their opening-day jitters. The win was built on the foundation of a record-shattering batting performance and a disciplined bowling effort that left the Capitals struggling to keep pace.
Harmanpreet and Sciver-Brunt Power MI to Massive Total
After being asked to bat first, Mumbai Indians faced an immediate challenge when opener Amelia Kerr was dismissed in the very first over. DC’s Chinelle Henry induced an edge that was brilliantly pouched by wicketkeeper Lizelle Lee, who executed a stunning diving catch to her right. However, any hopes Delhi had of capitalising on this early breakthrough were quickly extinguished by a masterclass in middle-order batting.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, the all-time leading run-scorer in TATA WPL history, walked in at number three and anchored the innings with composure. Supported by the steady G Kamalini, Sciver-Brunt guided MI to a stable 43/1 by the end of the powerplay. While Kamalini eventually fell for a well-played cameo—becoming youngster Nandini Sharma’s maiden WPL wicket—her departure brought captain Harmanpreet Kaur to the crease.
What followed was a ruthless exhibition of power-hitting. Harmanpreet and Sciver-Brunt seized control, punishing both pace and spin with ease. Sciver-Brunt notched her first half-century of the season, eventually departing for a magnificent 70 off 46 balls. Harmanpreet, however, was just getting started. The MI skipper unleashed her trademark aggression to bring up her ninth WPL fifty. In a breathtaking final over, she smashed four consecutive boundaries off Sree Charani to finish unbeaten on 74* from just 32 deliveries. Alongside Nicola Carey’s brisk 21, Mumbai catapulted to a daunting total of 195/4.
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Early Inroads and Spectacular Fielding Stun Delhi Capitals
Defending a target of 196, the Mumbai Indians’ bowlers mirrored the intensity of their batters. The pressure was relentless from the outset. Nat Sciver-Brunt contributed with the ball early on, removing the dangerous Lizelle Lee for 10. The introduction of Nicola Carey in the fifth over proved to be a masterstroke; she produced two exquisite inswingers in the same over to clean up both Shafali Verma and Laura Wolvaardt.
The situation worsened for Delhi in the final over of the powerplay. Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues fell cheaply, but the highlight was the dismissal itself—a sensational one-handed catch by 17-year-old G Kamalini behind the stumps. The diving effort left the Capitals reeling at 35/4 after six overs. Carey continued her rampage by dismissing Marizanne Kapp for 10, effectively breaking the back of the DC chase as they reached 73/5 at the halfway mark.
Henry’s Lone Fight Not Enough to Deny Mumbai
Amidst the tumbling wickets, Chinelle Henry emerged as a beacon of resistance for the Delhi Capitals. Utilizing her long levers and Caribbean flair, Henry launched a spirited counter-attack. Even as partners departed, she continued to swing freely, surviving a dropped catch in the 14th over to smash a massive six on the very next ball.
Henry reached a well-deserved fifty—her second in the TATA WPL—with another towering maximum. Her valiant effort of 56 off 33 balls briefly gave DC a glimmer of hope, but the mountain was too high to climb. Amelia Kerr eventually returned to provide the finishing blow, dismissing Henry and cleaning up the tail.
Clinical Conclusion Wraps Up First Win of 2026
The Mumbai Indians’ bowling unit remained disciplined until the very end, eventually bundling out the Delhi Capitals for 145. Nicola Carey finished with impressive figures of 3/37, while Amelia Kerr spearheaded the attack with 3/24.
The 50-run margin reflected MI’s superiority in all three departments of the game. For her captain’s knock that shifted the momentum entirely, Harmanpreet Kaur was rightfully named the Player of the Match. With this victory, the defending champions have officially signaled their intent for the 2026 season, leaving the Delhi Capitals to go back to the drawing board ahead of their next fixture.