Mumbai Indians made a strong comeback in the Women’s Premier League 2026 by defeating Delhi Capitals by 50 runs at the DY Patil Stadium.
After losing their first match of the season, the defending champions returned with power on Saturday, showing impressive batting followed by disciplined bowling to earn their first victory. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front with an unbeaten 74 off 42 balls, while vice-captain Nat Sciver-Brunt supported her with a solid 70 off 46 deliveries, helping Mumbai reach a big total of 195 for 4 after Delhi chose to bowl first.
The innings had a shaky beginning for Mumbai when Amelia Kerr was dismissed on the very first ball due to an outstanding one-handed catch by Delhi wicketkeeper Lizelle Lee. Soon after, G Kamilini was out as well, giving debutant Nandini Sharma her first wicket in the WPL, again with a sharp catch taken by Lee.
Nat Sciver-Brunt then steadied the innings with a 49-run stand, scoring freely and reaching 32 off 20 before partnering with Harmanpreet for an important 66-run partnership from 47 balls.
Harmanpreet lifted the scoring rate by attacking the fast bowlers, hitting a six and a four off Chinelle Henry to push Mumbai past 100 in the 13th over. Sciver-Brunt completed her half-century in 32 balls and hit three sixes in a single over from Minnu Mani, but she was dismissed shortly after by Shree Charani.
Harmanpreet continued to dominate the bowlers, and Nicola Carey provided quick support with 21 off just 12 balls, striking regular boundaries.
The Mumbai captain reached her fifty in 34 balls with a big six off Minnu Mani and then punished Charani in the final over by hitting four consecutive boundaries, helping Mumbai post a challenging total for the pitch conditions. Nandini Sharma finished with the best figures for Delhi, taking 2 for 26, but defending nearly 200 was always going to be tough.
Also Read: Rishabh Pant Ruled Out of India vs New Zealand ODI Series After Sudden Training Injury
Delhi Capitals’ chase fell apart early as they lost four wickets inside the Powerplay overs, a first-time occurrence for the team in WPL history. Shafali Verma struggled to get going before Nicola Carey took two wickets in the same over, removing Verma and Laura Wolvaardt to leave Delhi at 33 for 3.
Their new captain, Jemimah Rodrigues, also fell quickly to a brilliant one-handed catch by Kamilini, taking the score to 33 for 4. Lizelle Lee, on her debut, managed only 10 runs from 10 balls, and Marizanne Kapp was dismissed soon after, pushing Delhi into deep trouble at 46 for 5 within seven overs.
Chinelle Henry was the only batter who fought hard for Delhi, scoring 56 from 33 balls. She built a 40-run partnership with Niki Prasad, who made 12 off 18, and later added small partnerships with Sneh Rana and Minnu Mani. However, the required run rate kept increasing, and the pressure became too much.
Amelia Kerr came into the attack late and finished the match with impressive figures of 3 for 24, taking the wickets of Niki Prasad, Minnu Mani, and Henry to end the innings. Nicola Carey also claimed 3 for 37, though she conceded some runs, while Nat Sciver-Brunt picked up two wickets and Shabnim Ismail bowled economically with 1 for 14.
The win highlighted Mumbai’s balanced performance after their narrow defeat in the season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Harmanpreet Kaur was named Player of the Match for her brilliant knock and smart captaincy.
The final scoreline read: Mumbai Indians 195 for 4 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 74* off 42, Nat Sciver-Brunt 70 off 46; Nandini Sharma 2-26) defeated Delhi Capitals 145 all out in 19 overs (Chinelle Henry 56 off 33; Amelia Kerr 3-24, Nicola Carey 3-37) by 50 runs.