Delhi Capitals secured a strong position in the WPL 2025 playoffs with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This match, held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, saw Delhi successfully chase a target of 148 runs after restricting RCB to 147 for five in their innings. The two standout performers for Delhi were Shafali Verma and Jess Jonassen, both of whom produced exceptional contributions with the bat.
RCB struggled to find their rhythm throughout their innings, resulting in their fourth consecutive loss in the tournament and leaving them without a single victory in the Bengaluru leg. Ellyse Perry, however, displayed remarkable resilience in a disappointing outing for her side. The experienced all-rounder scored an unbeaten 60 runs from 47 balls, but her efforts alone were not sufficient to secure a win against the formidable Delhi side.
Delhi's bowlers played a key role in frustrating the RCB batting lineup. Shikha Pandey and debutant Shree Charani each claimed the vital wickets of two opposing batsmen to help restrict RCB's scoring. RCB’s innings began on a perilous note, losing Smriti Mandhana early due to Pandey’s bowling. Although Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Raghvi Bist provided some resistance, neither could convert their starts into significant scores.
Perry's innings was one of notable aggression, as she successfully maneuvered her way through the innings by executing powerful shots, including three towering sixes. She formed critical partnerships, contributing to a second-wicket stand of 44 runs with Wyatt-Hodge and a more substantial third-wicket partnership of 66 with Bist. Unfortunately, as the match progressed, Perry found herself increasingly isolated, particularly in the closing overs, and RCB's scoring rate dwindled sharply.
Despite reaching her fourth fifty of the tournament—achieved in just 37 balls—RCB could not capitalize on a promising position, with only 28 runs scored in the last four overs. Perry’s performance throughout the tournament has been consistent, and with a total of 295 runs in six innings, she emerged as the leading run-scorer in the competition, eclipsing Nat Sciver-Brunt.
In her debut for Delhi Capitals, Shree Charani distinguished herself with a commendable bowling performance, taking 2 wickets for 28 runs in four overs. Charani's introduction into the squad was a strategic decision over the inclusion of fast bowler Titas Sadhu. From the outset, Charani utilized the turn available on the pitch effectively and kept her deliveries consistently targeting the stumps, where she took key wickets that hampered RCB's late innings momentum.
The match did not start well for Capitals as they lost opener Meg Lanning early in the proceedings. This setback could have severely impacted their chase if not for the exceptional partnership that ensued between Shafali and Jonassen. This partnership of 146 runs for the second wicket came off just 77 balls, breaking the record for the highest partnership for any wicket in a WPL run chase.
Jonassen played with commendable fluidity, hitting nine boundaries and a six during her innings of 61 runs, contributing significantly to the Capitals' total. She was promoted to bat at No. 3, a strategic move that paid off, as her left-handedness created further challenges for the RCB bowlers who had primarily faced right-handed batsmen.
Shafali's innings was marked by a healthy blend of aggression and composure. After several near-misses in her previous matches, the young batter showcased her skills by scoring 80 runs off just 43 balls, including eight fours and four sixes. Capitalizing on the waning RCB bowling effort, she and Jonassen propelled the Capitals to a successful chase with a commanding display of batting.
After having been 68 for 1 at the nine-over mark, Delhi Capitals accelerated their scoring, amassing 83 runs from just 39 balls to seal the victory with 27 balls to spare.
The match reflected the stark contrast in fortunes between the two teams, as Delhi Capitals established themselves as serious contenders for the title while RCB appeared increasingly beleaguered in their campaign. The consistency displayed by both Shafali Verma and Jess Jonassen highlighted Delhi's batters adapting well under pressure and executing their game plan effectively.
In summary, the convincing win not only secures Delhi’s place in the playoffs but also underscores the form of their key players who will be crucial in their quest for the championship title in the upcoming matches. The performance of Ellyse Perry, although ultimately not enough to prevent defeat for RCB, further cements her standing as a top performer in the league. Meanwhile, the debut of Shree Charani adds an exciting dimension to Delhi's bowling attack that rivals will need to take note of in the matches ahead.