Watch Highlights: Another Ellyse Perry effort in vain as Shafali Verma powers DC to playoffs

Delhi Capitals have officially sealed their place in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 playoffs, marking their third consecutive qualification in as many seasons. They achieved this feat in style, dismantling Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by nine wickets in Match 14 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This also meant that RCB remained winless in front of their home crowd.

Opting to bowl first, Delhi’s disciplined bowling attack never allowed RCB to break free. Shikha Pandey (2/24) struck early, dismissing Smriti Mandhana (8 off 7), who continues to struggle this season. Ellyse Perry (60* off 47) once again anchored RCB’s innings, stitching crucial partnerships with Danni Wyatt-Hodge (21 off 18) and Raghvi Bist (33 off 32). However, their acceleration was stifled, and RCB ended up with a modest 147 for 5.

Debutant Nallapureddy Charani (2/28) played a crucial role, breaking the 66-run partnership between Perry and Bist and then sending back Richa Ghosh in the same over. Delhi’s chase got off to a wobbly start as Renuka Singh Thakur (1/28) dismissed skipper Meg Lanning (2 off 12) early. However, that was the only moment of joy for RCB, as Shafali Verma (80* off 43) and Jess Jonassen (61* off 38) stitched together an unbroken 146-run stand. Their fearless strokeplay silenced the home crowd as Delhi Capitals raced to victory with nine wickets in hand.

Highlights from the match:

Ellyse Perry (60* off 47, 0/24)

Once again, Ellyse Perry was the backbone of RCB’s innings, notching up her fourth fifty of the season. She walked in early after Mandhana’s dismissal and wasted no time in settling in, driving a wide half-volley from Pandey through covers to get going. Perry rotated the strike smartly, keeping the scoreboard ticking. She formed a 44-run stand with Wyatt-Hodge for the second wicket and a 66-run partnership with Bist, but the latter’s struggles meant RCB couldn’t fully capitalize.

Perry reached her fifty in 37 balls in the 14th over, but her impact was limited in the death overs. She faced only seven deliveries in the last five overs, managing just eight runs. RCB’s inability to get her on strike contributed to their underwhelming finish. Despite this, Perry now leads the tournament’s run charts with 295 runs in six innings, surpassing Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Shikha Pandey (2/24)

Shikha Pandey struck early for Delhi Capitals, dismissing RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana for 8 off 7 balls in the second over. Bowling a perfect outswinger just outside off, she lured Mandhana into a tentative poke, resulting in a simple catch to Meg Lanning at wide slip.

She later removed Kanika Ahuja in the 18th over, finishing with 2 for 24 in four overs. Her disciplined spell ensured Delhi maintained control, laying the foundation for their dominant win.

Nallapureddy Charani (2/28)

On her WPL debut, Nallapureddy Charani showed immense composure, delivering a match-defining spell for Delhi Capitals. The left-arm spinner kept the batters in check, using the turn on offer and attacking the stumps relentlessly. Her standout moment came in the 17th over when she dismissed Raghvi Bist (33 off 32) to break a crucial 66-run stand with Ellyse Perry.

Just four balls later, she struck again, removing Richa Ghosh, who was looking to accelerate. These two wickets derailed RCB’s hopes of a strong finish, limiting them to an underwhelming total. Charani finished with 2 for 28 in four overs, making an immediate impact and strengthening DC’s spin attack.

Jess Jonassen (61* off 38)

Jess Jonassen played a crucial role in Delhi’s dominant chase, providing stability and aggression in equal measure, just like what she did in the last game. Walking in after Meg Lanning’s early dismissal, she seamlessly built a match-winning partnership with Shafali Verma.

Jonassen rotated the strike efficiently, took calculated risks, and capitalized on loose deliveries. Her unbeaten 61 off 38 balls ensured Delhi never felt pressure, as she and Shafali stitched together an unbroken 146-run stand off just 77 balls. Her ability to match Shafali’s tempo made the chase effortless, sealing DC’s playoff berth in style.

Shafali Verma (80* off 43)

Shafali Verma was at her destructive best, making a mockery of RCB’s bowling attack with a ruthless unbeaten 80 off 43 balls which consisted of 8 fours and 4 sixes. Among Indians, she has scored most runs in WPL short history with 821 runs from 25 matches.

After the early loss of Lanning, she took control, smashing boundaries with ease and dominating both pace and spin. Her power-packed hitting ensured Delhi never fell behind the required rate, and she found an ideal partner in Jonassen to make the chase look effortless. Their record 146-run unbroken partnership flattened RCB, securing Delhi the victory with 27 balls to spare.

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