DCW vs MIW WPL 2025’s second match saw an enthralling contest between DCW and MIW at Baroda Stadium. And it became a nail-biting thriller with DCW chasing the target of 165 runs coming into bat until the last ball of the match, winning the match by just a margin of 2 wickets. A few incredible individual performances were on show for the first time, creating some commotion on the field and adding to the excitement that made it one of the most-awaited games in the longer history of WPL.
MIW Managed to post 164 runs, much to their satisfaction
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Mumbai Indians Women, energetically led by Harmanpreet Kaur, managed to put together a target of 165 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Sciver-Brunt’s steady contribution of a fine 80 off 59 balls was the anchoring knob around which MIW’s innings revolved. After the early dismissals of the openers, her knock steadied the flight of the MIW innings and gave some breathing space.
Younger Bhatia and Matthews fell early, thereby putting pressure on the middle order for a quick recovery. Kaur chipped in with her contribution-burned quickly for 42 off 22 balls and frankly fought for runs. The rest of them put together just a scattering of runs, as Yashika made 11 off 9 deliveries; the lower-middle order could not add up substantially. But MIW had a satisfactory total of 164 in its account.
Strong start for DCW and explosive innings by Shafali Verma
Chasing 165, this was a bright start for the Delhi Capitals women, thanks to explosive innings played by Shafali Verma. In the second over of the chase, she struck out at MIW’s Saika Ishaque, scoring an astonishing 22 runs off the over. The over included 4 boundaries and 1 six, thereby setting the stage for Delhi Capitals women.
By the end of the power play, Delhi Capitals women had reached a total of 60, thanks to Shafali, who started like a hurricane, racking up 43 runs from just 18 balls.
One could say the belligerence with which Shafali went about her innings had DCW well on course for chasing down the target, till MIW snatched it right out of her charging hands.
The late fight from MIW and the sudden collapse by DCW
In the final over of the power play, Hailey Matthews struck from the MIW side, dismissing the very dangerous Shafalion on the leg side. It was upon this wicket that DCW’s game came crashing down, with the fall of 3 wickets in three overs for just a mere score of 16 runs. Three quick wickets meant that all of a sudden it was DCW under pressure, with the asking rate climbing over 6 within a span of less than ten overs.
The debutante Alice Capsey, too, couldn’t make much of an impression for herself, ending up with only 15 runs before being dismissed in the 15th over. With the rapid loss of wickets for DCW, the match was slipping right through their hands.
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Niki Prasad and Sarah Bryce Get Them Back into the Chase
In a rush of emotion, Niki Prasad and Sarah Bryce pulled the pig’s heart out for DCW. Niki, steady with her knock of 35 runs from 33 balls, provided the spark needed in Sarah Bryce’s hands. They gave DCW some hope when they brought the chasing down to just 10 runs required off the last over. The atmosphere was tense when the game headed for the final quarter.
The Thrilling Last Over and Controversial Finish
The last over was to be bowled by Sajeevan Sajana-Harmanpreet Kaur entrusted her with that humble task. What followed was a roller-coaster of emotions.
Niki Prasad opened the over with a pull shot to square leg for a four due to a deep misfielding.
A short-pitched delivery followed which Niki slashed for two to deep mid-wicket.
Niki took a single courtesy of another misfield while Radha Yadav picked one for a single to fine leg.
Niki Yadav going for the finishing shot brought the climax of the match with just a ball left. She stepped out to hit a shot in the air toward cover and again the ball went in the air toward Harmanpreet Kaur. She dropped it and the ball went back to the keeper to catch Niki complete, the ball bounced twice before the keeper caught it.
Controversial run-out call
The run-out call, which turned out to be controversial, came at the dying stage of the match. The bails didn’t dislodge despite the keeper breaking the stumps before Niki Yadav was inside the crease with her bat, which prompted the third umpire to rule in favor of the batter. The decision was contentious enough because many felt that Niki had to go, but the umpire’s call saw DCW on the verge of a respectable victory.
Ultimately, DCW went on to victory by 2 wickets as the final ball of the contest turned out to be an action-packed moment.
A victory with controversy
The second match between DCW and MIW was filled with moments to remember and even a dramatic finish as part of WPL 2025. With some power-packed batting particularly from Shefali Verma and Niki Prasad guiding the chase for DCW, this match was rendered some class by continued instances of controversial calls made by match officials. With Delhi Capitals Women winning the match, how it ended will be a great topic for discussion for some time to come.
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