WPL: DC's exciting seven-wicket victory against UPW is starring Lizelle Lee
Lizelle Lee, a South African 'keeper-bat in her first Women's Premier League season, scored her second consecutive half-century (67 44b, 8x4, 3x6) to lead the Delhi Capitals in their nerve-wracking seven-wicket victory over UP Warriorz on Wednesday night at the DY Patil Stadium.
Ankush Pandey
The final over, bowled by Sophie Ecclestone, gave DC six runs to win after UPW rallied late in the game. Laura Wolvaardt, the captain of South Africa (25 not out, 24b. 2x4 1x6), hit a four to cover off the second ball and reduce it to only two off four balls. However, Ecclestone recovered admirably to take it to the final ball, where DC just one.
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Then, in order to secure DC's first WPL-2026 victory and their first under new captain Jemimah Rodrigues, Xolvaardt hammered the ball over the cover area for a four (21, 14b, 3x4). Unfortunately, it was held in front of empty stands because local municipal elections on Thursday prohibited crowds.
The 33-year-old Lee, who plays in Women's T20 leagues worldwide and has amassed 1896 runs in 82 T20ls for South Africa, thrived once more following a 54-ball 86-run knock in her previous match against Gujarat Giants. It was the UP Warriorz's third straight loss and undoubtedly a poor beginning for their new head coach, Abhishek Nayar.
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Lee and India opener Shafali Varma gave DC, chasing 155, a perfect 94-run start in 69 balls (36, 32b, 6x4). Deepti Sharma, India's best off-spinning all-rounder, scored two after batting at No. 9 in the final over and came on to bowl as late as the fifteenth over, but for some reason, UPW barely gave her an opportunity to do anything during the game. After captain Meg Lanning produced a half-century (54, 38b, 9x4, 1x6) against her old team, the Warriorz collapsed spectacularly, losing six wickets for 20 runs in 26 balls.
The controversial decision to send out his India batsman Harleen Deol while she was batting on 47 (36b, 7x4) was the main topic of discussion during UPW's innings, which ended at 154 for eight in 20 overs. Harleen became the second player in the WPL to be retired out after Gujarat Giants retired out rookie Ayushi Soni (11, 144b) against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday night. He appeared astonished after being forced to leave the crease by Nayar. Both judgements were made in two days.
Incoming batsman Bharti Fulmali smashed 36 not out off 15 balls, proving that GG's selection was correct, but UPI's attempt to guarantee a strong end to the innings after 17 overs was unsuccessful. Chloe Tryon (1), a South African all-rounder who replaced Deandra Dottin in this game and was playing in her maiden game after three years in the MI dugout, was caught at deep mid-wicket off Shree Charani after just a few balls, causing a slip.
In contrast to Ayushi, who is a rookie, Harleen is an experienced player who was a member of India's World Cup winning team last year, thus the decision to retire her three shy of fifty would undoubtedly undermine her confidence. Following the departure of 'keeper-bat Shweta Sehrawat (11) and Sophie Ecclestone (3), India's best all-rounder entered at Deepti Sharma at No. 9—another really dubious decision.
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Shafali Verma, a part-time off-spinner who finished with 2-16 in four overs to demonstrate her value as a bowler, got two wickets in the innings' final over, leaving Deepti for just two. UPW fell to 152 for eight in the last over after starting at 141-3 in 17 overs. Big-hitting opener Kiran Navgire's terrible tournament—she was out for 1 and 5 in the previous games—continued earlier after Rodrigues won the toss and decided to bowl first for the third time in a row. The Maharashtra batter was caught at mid-off off SA speedster Marizanne Kapp, who finished with 2-24 in four overs.
Lanning put on a 35-ball 47-run stand for the second wicket with Phoebe Litchfield (27, 20b, 5x4) and then 85 in 56 balls for the third wicket with Harleen, scoring her tenth WPL half-century. Get the most recent information about the WPL 2026, including the teams, schedule, and live scores for the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Delhi Capitals. Check out the most recent WPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap rankings.
