Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women, 20th Match, Women's Premier League 2026 - Commentary

So the league stage is done. Just two more matches to go. The Eliminator and the final. We will be there for those ones. Meanwhile there's a host of cricket to follow on our platform. Do check them out. For now we take leave from Cricbuzz Towers. See you soon. Bye bye.

Marizanne Kapp | Player of the Match: Look, to be honest, it's hard to be happy if one of your skills is down. But I'm just happy with the win, to finally contribute and us winning and going through. That's all that matters. (on maintaining consistency) Look I probably went for a bit of tap today, but I think that actually worked in my favour if they go after me a little bit. I was lucky to pick up wickets. Any team, if you get them a few down in a powerplay, you have a good chance of winning. So just again happy to strike. (pressure on her?) Yeah, look, there's always pressure on you, especially as an international, to perform and to lead the bowling attack. Again, first few games, probably didn't get the wickets that I would have liked, but as long as we're winning, I'm happy.

Jemimah Rodrigues | DC-W captain: I think we were always assured that we are a good team. I think there was never a doubt about that. It was just about coming out there, keeping things simple and executing. And even today, I think even before we started, there was a different kind of calmness about this team. We knew how important this game was, but everyone was really calm, really professional with their work. And I think that speaks of how we played today. (on their bowlers) Yeah, I think our bowlers have been doing a great job. We know T20 cricket is never easy for the bowlers, but I think our bowlers have been brave enough to stick to their plans and to keep executing to their strengths rather than thinking about the batter's strengths. And I think that is something that has worked for us, clarity and sticking to your strengths. (what were the plans when bowling?) I think it's both ways. It just depends on the situation. We always, whenever we speak in the team meeting, even JB (Jonathan Batty, head coach) keeps talking about how we need to stick to our strengths first and then we can always plan to a batter, maybe what field, what is better, what are they good at or which area we can block. But I think it's more to do with sticking to your strengths and a balance of that yeah. (was there a plan to get the runs quickly?) It was just about winning today. I think there was nothing about the run-rate. But yeah, we still speak about how we can be positive. I think it's in low scores, it's very important. A lot of times we think of the score and play, rather watch the ball and play according to the merit. And when you do that, I think it's very simple. So I think the way Wolvey also, you know, today was a different role where we saw Shafali taking singles, which is very mature of her. While Wolvey was going attacking. So I think that speaks about this team and how we're improving every day.

Jonathan Batty | DC-W head coach: Yeah, we do like making hard work of these run-chases at times, but obviously delighted that the captain got us over the line there at the end. (on Jemi) Yeah, look, I'm really proud that we made it to the finals and I think Jemi's been outstanding. I think she's grown with her leadership every single game. Her decision-making all tournament has been really, really good. And obviously shown some leadership with the bat today. So no, we've had a bit of a rollercoaster tournament so far. We've messed up a couple of run-chases. We've had lots of contributions from different players at times. But yeah, really pleased to obviously seal that berth in the playoffs. Yeah, we've certainly done it a little bit the hard way. It's been a rollercoaster and we haven't always played our best cricket. But after three years where we've absolutely dominated the league phase and finished top and that was obviously no guarantee of winning the trophy. Look, I'm just happy to qualify for the playoffs now. (on the squad) Yeah, we've got a completely different squad. We've had a really nice core together and they've stood up at times and played really, really well as a unit. But yeah, it's always a challenge when you get a new captain. And obviously worked with Jemi in the vice-captaincy over the last three years as well. So we've been getting her ready for this moment this year. So she's grown and our relationship has grown all tournament as well. So no, I'm really proud of what we've done so far. (on the Eliminator) Yeah, third time against the Giants. Yeah, we've messed up a couple of run-chases there. Two incredible games of cricket, obviously great for the neutral, not so great for DC. Look, we've got lots to reflect on the way we went about our work in those games. And that's the way cricket pans out. There's not a huge amount I don't think we did wrong. On another day in both those games, we would have got over the line and secured a playoff spot a couple of games ago. So no, it would be good to go against GG again. We have played them twice and hopefully third time lucky.

Meg Lanning | UPW-W captain: Yeah, I thought we fought it out to the end really nicely. Our bowlers did a good job to take it to the second-last over and put Delhi under some pressure. And we created some chances as well, which could have, you know, made the game very different. But yeah, I guess looking back, the batting innings again, unfortunately, it didn't get going and always going to be difficult to defend 120-odd, you need everything to go your way. (on the season) We just haven't been consistent enough. We've had patches of games where we played well and put the opposition under pressure, but we've sort of given it back to them a little bit too easily. So that's probably the biggest thing for me is, yeah, just doing it for longer. And then when you do get a team under pressure, really, really making it difficult for them to stay in the game. And we just haven't been able to do that throughout the whole season, unfortunately. And yeah, it hasn't been the season that we wanted, obviously, and disappointing to finish off with a loss tonight. (on Shipra Giri) Absolutely, I thought she did an excellent job. She was, you know, keeping up to the stumps, you know, some difficult balls to do that too, and she wanted to take that challenge on and I thought she did it beautifully and we were able to build some pressure that way. So yeah, certainly, a really, really nice night for her, I guess, to see her come into the side and do well and hopefully that gives her some confidence. (on bowling out Ecclestone and Shikha) Yeah, I just wanted to try and bowl the best bowler for that situation. You couldn't save any overs for the backend because it was likely that we weren't going to get there. So whatever the best option was to take a wicket, build some pressure at the time, was what I sort of went with. There were a few three-over spells in there, which is a little bit unusual, but they were bowling well and then putting them under pressure. So just got to go with it in games like these and then hopefully you can put the opposition under pressure and put ourselves back in the game. (if she will be back next season?) Yeah, absolutely. I'm still thoroughly enjoying my cricket. I love playing and coming into teams like this and trying to get the best out of people and trying to get the best out of myself too. I'm very competitive. I love to try and win and that fire is certainly still there. So absolutely, I'll be back next year and hopefully a bit longer than that as well.

Catching efficiency in WPL 2026
83.7% - DC (7 dropped catches)
79.0% - RCB (9)
75.0% - MI (11)
69.5% - GG (14)
67.5% - UPW (12 dropped)

Most PoTM awards in WPL
8 - Harmanpreet Kaur
6 - Marizanne Kapp*
5 - Jess Jonassen
5 - Nat-Sciver Brunt
5 - Grace Harris

22:48 Local Time, 17:18 GMT, 22:48 IST: Delhi again made it tough for themselves but the calming presence of their captain, Jemimah Rodrigues has ensured they meet Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator. Mumbai and UP Warriorz are out. There were certainly nerves in the Delhi camp as they lost Lee early and then Shafali struggled. Wolvaardt gave two chances and had they been taken, this might have gotten even more trickier for Delhi. The South African capitalised on that and struck boundaries sweetly to add 73 for the 2nd wicket. But a flurry of wickets gave hope for UPW-W and MI-W but Jemi saw her side through with a composed knock. UPW-W just didn't have the runs on the board and also their catching left a lot to be desired. Stay tuned for the post-match stuff...

The field has to come in.