After a narrow defeat to RCB on opening night, Mumbai Indians corrected course on Saturday with a dominant 50-run victory over Delhi Capitals. Playing at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, the defending champions overcame a shaky start; where Amelia Kerr fell for a first-ball duck, to post a formidable 195/4.
While the Indian skipper, displayed leadership and clinical execution under pressure, Jemimah Rodrigues’ debut as Delhi captain surfaced into a difficult outing.
The recovery was fueled by a 66-run stand between Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur. Sciver-Brunt provided the early momentum, smashing 70 off 46 balls with 13 boundaries, cutting and driving with precision to keep the run rate high.
While Sciver-Brunt did the bulk of the early scoring, it was the captain who took over the lead role once the England veteran returned to the dugout. Harmanpreet displayed her trademark power, finishing unbeaten on 74 off 42 balls, including eight fours and three sixes.
The final over proved to be a decisive tactical masterclass, coming clear of the experience gap between the two captains. Facing 21-year-old spinner N. Shree Charani, Harmanpreet exploited Jemimah’s field placements to hammer four consecutive boundaries, looting 19 runs from the over. By the time the innings closed, MI had collected 53 runs in the final four overs.
Delhi's chase of 196 derailed almost immediately against the seam movement of Nicola Carey. Standing in for the unwell Hayley Matthews, Carey produced a match-winning spell, striking twice in her first over to clean up both Shafali Verma and Laura Wolvaardt.
The collapse worsened as Shabnim Ismail removed Jemimah for just one, aided by a spectacular one-handed catch from G. Kamalini. When Carey later accounted for Marizanne Kapp; right after she hit her for a huge six, and looked like sparking the fire, the Capitals were reduced to 33/4, effectively ending the contest before the powerplay was over.
While Chinelle Henry offered a lone fight with a spirited 56 off 33 balls, the required rate proved impossible as wickets continued to tumble. Amelia Kerr redeemed her earlier batting failure by picking up 3/24 to help bowl Delhi out for 145 in the 19th over. The 50-run win puts Mumbai Indians back in the win column, while Delhi Capitals are left to regroup following a comprehensive defeat in their season opener.
