UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals, WPL 2026: DC Claim First Win in Last-Ball Thriller.

UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals, WPL 2026: DC Claim First Win in Last-Ball Thriller.

UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals Highlights, WPL 2026.


Delhi Capitals Secure First Win: Lizelle Lee’s Explosive 67 Powers Last-Ball Thriller.

                    In a gripping Match 7 of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 on January 14, 2026, at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, Delhi Capitals clinched their maiden victory of the season with a dramatic 7-wicket win over UP Warriorz.

            Chasing a target of 155, DC finished at 158/3 in exactly 20 overs, with Laura Wolvaardt striking the winning boundary off the final ball to seal the deal in a tense finish.



The venue, bathed in floodlights, witnessed a contest full of momentum shifts: UP Warriorz built a strong platform only to collapse spectacularly in the death overs, while DC's openers dominated before a late wobble tested their nerves.

Match Summary

Match : 7th Match, Women's Premier League 2026 Date : January 14, 2026 Venue : Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai Toss : Delhi Capitals won and elected to field Result : Delhi Capitals beat UP Warriorz by 7 wickets (with 0 balls remaining) UP Warriorz : 154/8 (20 overs) Delhi Capitals : 158/3 (20 overs)

Jemimah Rodrigues' decision to bowl first paid dividends as DC's bowlers, particularly all-rounder Shafali Verma (2/16) and Marizanne Kapp (2/24), restricted UP Warriorz despite a solid middle-order partnership from Meg Lanning and Harleen Deol.

UP Warriorz Innings: Strong Start, Dramatic Collapse

UP Warriorz 154/8 (20 overs)

Key Performers:
Meg Lanning (c) — 54 (38 balls, boundaries included) — anchored with composure, reaching her 10th WPL fifty.

Harleen Deol — 47 (off ~35 balls) — aggressive support until controversially retired out in a bid for acceleration (a move that backfired).
Other contributions: Phoebe Litchfield and others chipped in early, but the innings unraveled.

Delhi Capitals Bowling Highlights
Shafali Verma: 4 overs, 2/16 (crucial wickets in the death, including two in the final over).

Marizanne Kapp: 2/24 — disciplined lengths.
Others: Asha Sobhana (1/20), spin support.

UP Warriorz reached 125/2 after 14 overs, looking set for 170+, but lost 6 wickets for just ~29 runs in the last 6 overs. The collapse included poor shot selection against tight bowling and the failed retirement gamble.

Meg Lanning's half-century was a highlight, but the late meltdown left a below-par total on a good batting surface.

Delhi Capitals Chase: Lee and Verma Dominate, Wolvaardt Finishes

Delhi Capitals 158/3 (20 overs)

Key Performers:
Lizelle Lee — 67 (44 balls, 8x4, 3x6) — destructive power-hitting, building on her previous 86.

Shafali Verma — 36 (32 balls, 6x4) — solid support, plus her bowling heroics.
Laura Wolvaardt — 25 (24 balls)* — calm under pressure, winning boundary on the last ball.

Jemimah Rodrigues — quick contributions in the middle.

Key Partnership: 94-run opening stand (Lee & Verma in 11.3 overs) — set the platform with aggressive strokeplay.

UP Warriorz Bowling
Deepti Sharma : 2/26 — broke the opening stand and dismissed Lee.
Asha Sobhana : 1/20 — economical.

Ecclestone and others leaked runs in patches.

Lee's knock featured towering sixes and crisp drives, dominating the powerplay. After her dismissal (miscommunication on a run-out), Wolvaardt and Rodrigues steadied, with the South African finishing dramatically.

Player of the Match: Lizelle Lee

Lee's back-to-back explosive knocks (86 previous, 67 here) showcased her intent and clean striking. Her performance strengthens her case for a South Africa return after a hiatus since 2022.

Turning Points
Death-overs collapse — UP Warriorz from 125/2 to 154/8; Shafali's final-over double strike pivotal.
94-run opening stand — Lee-Verma blitz set DC ahead.

Last-ball drama — Ecclestone's tight final over, but Wolvaardt's cover drive won it.
Retire out decision — Harleen Deol's exit disrupted momentum.

Post-Match Reactions

Jemimah Rodrigues (DC Captain): Praised the team's resilience and Lee's form; highlighted Shafali's all-round impact.

Meg Lanning (UP Warriorz Captain): Acknowledged the collapse as costly; noted execution issues despite the platform.

What's Next in WPL 2026

UP Warriorz (still winless, 0-3) face defending champions Mumbai Indians on January 15, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST in Navi Mumbai — no rest for the weary.

Delhi Capitals (now 1-2, 4th position) gain momentum and look to build consistency.

This thriller highlighted WPL's competitiveness: youth (Shafali, Jemimah) blending with experience (Lee, Wolvaardt, Lanning). DC's win ends their early slump, while UP Warriorz search for their first points.