In a season already defined by high-octane drama and strategic masterclasses, Match 7 of the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 delivered perhaps the most gripping finish yet. At the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the Delhi Capitals secured their first victory of the campaign, overcoming the UP Warriorz by seven wickets in a contest that stayed undecided until the very last delivery. It was a night where seasoned veterans reached historic milestones, young talents proved their mettle under pressure, and a bold tactical “retired out” decision became a major talking point.
Capitals’ Disciplined Bowling Sets the Stage
Winning the toss and electing to field, Delhi Capitals captain Jemimah Rodrigues looked to put immediate pressure on the Warriorz. The decision bore fruit early as Kiran Navgire was dismissed for a duck, leaving the Warriorz reeling at the start. However, the innings found stability through a formidable 85-run partnership between captain Meg Lanning and Harleen Deol.
Lanning, ever the professional, used the occasion to further cement her legacy, becoming only the third player in WPL history to cross the 1,000-run mark, joining the elite company of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur. She played a fluent knock of 54 from 38 balls, while Deol provided confident support with 47 off 36.
The momentum seemed to be with the Warriorz until the death overs, when the Delhi bowlers executed a brilliant recovery. Shafali Verma, typically known for her explosive batting, emerged as a surprise hero with the ball. She claimed two crucial wickets while conceding only 16 runs in her four-over spell. Her efforts, supported by Marizanne Kapp’s two wickets for 24 runs, triggered a late-innings collapse. The Warriorz lost six wickets for just 24 runs in the final five overs, finishing on a competitive but perhaps underwhelming 154 for 8.
The Great Chase: Lee and Verma Fire at the Top
Chasing 155, the Delhi Capitals needed a strong start to keep the required rate under control, and the opening pair of Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma delivered exactly that. The duo forged a massive 94-run partnership that took the game away from the Warriorz for much of the evening.
Lizelle Lee was the aggressor-in-chief, continuing her rich vein of form with a bruising 67 off 44 balls. Her innings featured eight boundaries and three towering sixes, showcasing the pure power-hitting that has made her one of the league’s most feared openers. At the other end, Shafali Verma played a balanced knock of 36 from 32 balls, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking without unnecessary risks.
By the time the partnership was broken in the 12th over, the Capitals looked to be cruising toward an easy win. However, the introduction of spin through Deepti Sharma and Asha Sobhana slowed the progress. Sharma eventually dismissed both Lee and Rodrigues, finishing with figures of 2 for 26 and injecting a sense of panic into the Capitals’ dugout as the game entered its final stages.
Last-Ball Drama and Wolvaardt’s Calm
As the match entered the 20th over, the equation narrowed to six runs required from six balls. Sophie Ecclestone, one of the world’s premier T20 bowlers, was entrusted with the final over for the Warriorz. The tension was palpable after a boundary from Marizanne Kapp brought the requirement down, only for two consecutive dot balls to follow.
With one run needed off the final delivery, the pressure shifted entirely onto the shoulders of Laura Wolvaardt. Demonstrating remarkable composure, Wolvaardt waited for the right delivery and executed a perfectly timed cover drive that raced to the boundary. The four-wicket victory was sealed on the final ball, sparking jubilant celebrations from the Delhi camp and leaving the Warriorz to reflect on what might have been.
Turning Points and Tactical Gambles
One of the most discussed moments of the match was the strategic decision by the UP Warriorz to have Harleen Deol “retired out” while she was on 47. The move was intended to bring in power-hitters for the final overs to maximize the score, but the subsequent collapse suggested it might have backfired, disrupting the rhythm of the innings.
Ultimately, it was Shafali Verma’s all-round contribution—clutch wickets in the final over of the first innings and a steady start with the bat—that earned her the Player of the Match award. For the Delhi Capitals, this hard-fought victory serves as a vital kickstart to their 2026 campaign, while the Warriorz will look to find more consistency in their middle-order execution as the tournament progresses.