The UP Warriorz finally tasted their first win in the 2025 Women's Premier League by defeating the Delhi Capitals at Bengaluru's lively Chinnaswamy Stadium. It was a match that kept fans on edge, filled with thrilling moments and dramatic turns. The Warriorz, taking the batting lead, ended their innings with an impressive 177/9 in 20 overs. Despite early setbacks with the wickets, Chinelle Henry's dynamic performance was a game-changer. She smashed her way to a fiery 62 off just 23 deliveries, packing five sixes and three boundaries, propelling the Warriorz past the 170-mark.
Earlier, Delhi's bowling attack, with standout performances by Jess Jonassen (4/31) and Marizanne Kapp (2/18), initially kept the Warriorz under pressure. Yet, Henry's fierce strike changed the narrative, overshadowing their efforts. Contributions from players like Tahlia McGrath, who chipped in 24 runs, and Deepti Sharma with 13, added vital runs to the board, setting a challenging target for the Capitals.
The chase for Delhi Capitals was steep from the onset. They saw hope when Jemimah Rodrigues put on a valiant knock of 56 off 35 balls, trying to anchor the team's innings. However, with wickets tumbling around her, the task proved daunting. Kranti Goud's sharp bowling spell was crucial in dismantling the Capitals' top order, snagging wickets of big guns like Shafali Verma, Meg Lanning, and Jonassen, eventually finishing with figures of 4/25.
The final nail in the coffin came courtesy of Grace Harris. Entering WPL history books, she took a memorable hat-trick in the last over, removing Niki Prasad, Arundhati Reddy, and Minnu Mani, as Delhi crumbled from 109/7 to 144 all out in 19.3 overs. With this hat-trick, Harris joined elite company alongside significant past achievers like Issy Wong in 2023 and Deepti Sharma in 2024.
This victory not only gave UP Warriorz their first points of the season but also highlighted their potential in this year's league. Chinelle Henry walked away with the Player of the Match award, thanks largely to her explosive innings and her key wicket of Marizanne Kapp. Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals are left re-evaluating their strategies, as this loss marks their second defeat in just four matches. With both teams eyeing playoff prospects, the stakes are high, and performances like these can be game-changers in the tournament's journey.
