WPL 2025: Lanning, Shafali, And Jonassen Propel DC To The Top Of The WPL Table

Delhi Capitals (DC) continued the trend of successful chases in WPL 2025, making it 12-1 for teams batting second, as they secured a dominant nine-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) in Bengaluru. The win, achieved with 5.3 overs to spare, propelled DC to the top of the points table, replacing MI. DC now have eight points from six matches, while MI remain at six from five.

After being put in to bat, MI started positively, but their momentum stalled once the openers departed. Jess Jonassen and Minnu Mani dismantled the middle order, claiming three wickets each. Despite all of MI’s top five reaching double digits, none managed to surpass 22. A late cameo from Amanjot Kaur, who remained unbeaten on 17 off ten balls, helped MI post 123 for 9.

Chasing a modest target, DC openers Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning put on a commanding 85-run stand in just 9.5 overs. Shafali departed for a quickfire 43 off 28, but Lanning carried on, notching up her second half-century of the season in 40 balls. She remained unbeaten on 60 off 49, steering DC to a comfortable victory.

DC Halt MI’s Flying Start

Mumbai Indians (MI) began aggressively, with Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews smashing first-ball boundaries off Marizanne Kapp. Matthews continued the early onslaught, striking back-to-back fours off Jess Jonassen in the fourth over.

However, Delhi Capitals (DC) soon tightened their grip on the game. Shikha Pandey, bowling around the wicket in the sixth over, had Bhatia caught behind for 11, extending her underwhelming WPL 2025 tally to 38 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 84.44.

Matthews followed soon after, mistiming a shot off Annabel Sutherland to Shafali Verma at mid-off. DC nearly removed Harmanpreet Kaur early as well, but in the eighth over, her edge off Titas Sadhu flew between the wicketkeeper and slip. By the end of nine overs, MI were restricted to 49 for 2.

Jonassen, Mani Deliver Knockout Blows

After shining with the bat in DC’s previous game, Jess Jonassen reminded everyone why her bowling remains her biggest strength. Harmanpreet Kaur, having settled in, looked ready to accelerate—blasting a 79m six over wide long-on and following it up with a deft boundary off Titas Sadhu in the tenth over.

However, Jonassen ended her charge at 22, trapping her lbw with a sharp arm ball. With Nat Sciver-Brunt—the season’s leading run-getter—still at the crease, MI had hope. But Jonassen slowed the pace, deceived her in flight, and forced an early chip back to the bowler. She then bowled G Kamalini with another well-flighted delivery, wrapping up figures of 3 for 25.

Minnu Mani also played a crucial role, striking twice in three balls to remove S Sajana and Amelia Kerr. Kerr’s dismissal was a stunning effort, as Annabel Sutherland sprinted in from long-on and pulled off a full-length diving catch just inches from the ground. Mani later sent back Sanskriti Gupta, with Jemimah Rodrigues safely pouching her slog at deep midwicket, sealing MI’s collapse.

Lanning, Shafali Dominate the Chase

Mumbai Indians (MI) aimed for early breakthroughs with attacking fields, but Meg Lanning capitalized, striking two boundaries off Shabnim Ismail in the opening over. Despite not being at her best this season, the DC captain found her rhythm early.

MI’s short-ball tactic against Shafali Verma misfired spectacularly. Nat Sciver-Brunt conceded five wides, and when she finally landed her lengths, Shafali punished her with a flurry of boundaries. In the fourth over, she took Sciver-Brunt for two fours and a six in four deliveries.

At the other end, Lanning maintained the pressure, smashing consecutive fours off Ismail before treating Hayley Matthews to the same punishment in the following over. By the end of the powerplay, DC had cruised to 57 without loss, reducing the required run rate to just 4.78.

Even after field restrictions eased, DC’s aggression remained unchecked. In the ninth over, Shafali hammered Amelia Kerr for two sixes down the ground. Amanjot Kaur eventually ended her innings, catching her at deep midwicket, but by then, the game was all but sealed. Lanning and Jemimah Rodrigues wrapped up the chase in just 28 balls, comfortably securing DC’s victory.

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