In a high-stakes finale to the league stage, the Delhi Capitals secured their postseason future with a gritty five-wicket victory over the UP Warriorz at the BCA Stadium. The win not only keeps Delhi’s title hopes alive but also serves as a death knell for the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, who have been officially eliminated from the WPL 2026 playoff race.
Marizanne Kapp Dismantles Warriorz Top Order
The foundation of Delhi's victory was laid by the relentless Marizanne Kapp. Winning the toss and opting to bowl proved masterstroke as Kapp produced a clinical spell of seam bowling, finishing with figures of 3/30.
The Warriorz never found their rhythm, losing skipper Meg Lanning for a duck on the very first ball of the match to Chinelle Henry. Kapp then sliced through the middle order, removing Deepti Sharma and Deandra Dottin in quick succession. Despite late-inning resistance from Shikha Pandey (23) and Deepti Sharma (24), UP was restricted to a sub-par total of 122/8.
Wolvaardt and Rodrigues Anchor the Chase
Chasing 123 for a spot in the playoffs, Delhi Capitals faced early jitters when Lizelle Lee fell for just 10. However, South African star Laura Wolvaardt stepped up with a composed 47 off 36 balls, including seven boundaries.
While a mid-innings wobble saw Delhi slip from 84/1 to 101/5, captain Jemimah Rodrigues showed immense maturity. Her unbeaten 34 off 18 balls—punctuated by back-to-back boundaries in the 19th over—steered Delhi across the finish line with eight balls to spare.
"We always knew we were a good side; it was just about staying calm in the big moments," Rodrigues said during the post-match presentation.
The WPL 2026 Playoff Picture
The result has finalized the standings for the knockout stage. Delhi Capitals finish third on the table with 8 points, setting up a thrilling clash in the Eliminator.
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1st Place: Royal Challengers Bangalore (Direct entry to Final)
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2nd Place: Gujarat Giants (Qualified for Eliminator)
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3rd Place: Delhi Capitals (Qualified for Eliminator)
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Eliminated: Mumbai Indians & UP Warriorz
Why This Matters Right Now
The exit of the Mumbai Indians marks a massive shift in the WPL 2026 landscape. For the first time, the "most successful franchise" in the league's history will not feature in the final stages. This opens the door for a potential first-time champion, with RCB and Delhi both eyeing a maiden trophy.
Key Takeaways for Fans:
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Eliminator Date: Delhi Capitals will face Gujarat Giants on Tuesday, February 3.
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Venue: The matches remain in Vadodara, where the slow pitch continues to favor disciplined bowling units like Delhi’s.
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Form Watch: Watch out for Marizanne Kapp; her ability to strike in the Powerplay will be the deciding factor against the Giants' aggressive top order.
