Watch Highlights: Shafali Verma’s 43 outshine Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 80 as Delhi secure last-ball thriller

The second match of the WPL 2025, between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians was a nail-biting encounter that went down to the wire, with Delhi winning by 2 wickets. Batting first, Mumbai posted a total of 164, thanks to a brilliant partnership of 73 off 40 between Nat-Sciver Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur who scored 80* and 42 individually. Annabel Sutherland took three wickets for Delhi, while Shikha Pandey took two.

In response, Delhi opener Shafali Verma got off to a flying start, scoring 43 runs off just 18 balls. However, Mumbai bowlers staged a comeback, reducing Delhi to 76/4. Debutants, Niki Prasad and Sarah Bryce, who scored 35 and 21 respectively, revived Delhi’s hopes. From Mumbai, Hayley Mathews and Amelia Kerr took a couple of wickets each. A crucial six from Radha Yadav on the last ball of the 19th over, reversed the fortunes, ultimately helping Delhi seal a thrilling 2 wicket victory.

Highlights from the match:

Nat Sciver Brunt – 80*(59) & 1/38(4)

Nat Sciver-Brunt played a crucial role for Mumbai Indians, scoring an unbeaten 80 off 59 balls after coming in at 1/1. She hit 13 fours and built key partnerships – 31 runs with Yastika Bhatia and 73-run stand with captain Harmanpreet Kaur to steady the innings. She brought up her fifty with a four in just 36 balls. Later, she contributed with the ball, dismissing Annabel Sutherland in the ninth over. The ball stayed low off a scrambled seam, hitting the middle stump as Sutherland failed to get her bat down in time. This wicket put Delhi Capitals under pressure at 76/4.

Harmanpreet Kaur – 42(22)

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur played a quickfire knock of 42 off just 22 balls, striking four fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 190.9. She took on Annabel Sutherland in the 11th over, smashing 18 runs, including a six over deep midwicket that brought up 8000 T20 runs for her. She also played some smart shots, using the pace to guide boundaries past short third and backward point. However, Sutherland had the final say, dismissing Kaur with a cross-seam delivery that she edged to debutant Niki Prasad at deep third. Kaur’s attacking innings helped Mumbai Indians reach 105/3 in the 11th over.

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Shafali Verma – 43(18)

Shafali Verma gave Delhi Capitals a blazing start, scoring 43 off just 18 balls with seven fours and two sixes. She was particularly aggressive in the powerplay, helping Delhi reach 60 runs in the first six overs. Her standout moment came in the second over against Saika Ishaque, where she smashed 22 runs, including four consecutive fours and a six. She confidently stepped down the track, driving and cutting with power to find the boundaries at will. Shafali’s attacking intent put Mumbai Indians on the back foot early, setting the foundation for a strong chase. Her innings ended in the sixth over when she mistimed a lofted shot off Hayley Matthews, chipping a catch to Harmanpreet Kaur at mid-on.

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Niki Prasad – 35(33)

Debutant Niki Prasad played a match-winning knock for Delhi Capitals, guiding them to victory with a composed 35 off 33 balls. Walking in at a challenging 76/4 while chasing 165, the U-19 World Cup-winning captain showed maturity beyond her years. She built crucial partnerships – 33 runs with Alice Capsey and 31 with Sarah Bryce to keep Delhi in the hunt. With just two runs needed, she fell attempting a big shot off Sajana Sajeevan, caught at deep midwicket by Amelia Kerr. Despite her dismissal, her steady innings ensured Delhi crossed the finish line, securing a thrilling win. Her calm under pressure earned her the Player of the Match award, capping off a memorable debut.

Shikha Pandey- 2/14(4)

Shikha Pandey was impressive with the ball, finishing with figures of 2/14 in her four overs. She struck early, dismissing Hayley Matthews for a duck in the first over with a swinging delivery that took the edge and was caught by Meg Lanning at slip. She then bowled Yastika Bhatia for 19 in the fifth over, swinging it in from around the wicket to knock over the leg stump.

Amelia Kerr – 2/21(4) & 9(9)

Amelia Kerr delivered an impactful performance with the ball, finishing with figures of 2/21 in her four overs. She provided Mumbai Indians with crucial breakthroughs, first dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues for 9 in the eighth over as the batter’s drive went straight to Harmanpreet Kaur at cover. Later, in the 15th over, she broke a growing 33-run partnership by removing Alice Capsey, who mistimed a big shot to long-on, where Shabnim Ismail took a well-judged catch. With the bat, Kerr managed 9 off 9 balls, hitting one four before being run out in an unlucky manner.

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