Meg Lanning’s Delhi Capitals became the first team to seal a playoff berth in the TATA WPL 2025, clinching a dominant 9-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 14. The win further solidified their position at the top of the table, with 10 points from 7 matches and five commanding victories.

A stellar all-round performance saw DC stage a remarkable comeback with the ball, restricting RCB to 147/5. Their disciplined effort was followed by a batting masterclass, as Shafali Verma (80* off 43) and Jess Jonassen (61* off 38) stitched together a match-winning 146-run stand, sealing the chase in style.

For her blistering knock, Shafali Verma was awarded the Player of the Match award.

For Smriti Mandhana’s RCB, it was a night of disappointment, suffering a third consecutive defeat at home despite the backing of the Bengaluru crowd. Their total proved insufficient against DC’s ruthless charge, leaving the defending champions searching for answers. Ellyse Perry was the yet again the lone warrior for RCB by remaining unbeaten on 60 which went in vain.

Chasing 148, Delhi Capitals suffered an early blow as skipper Meg Lanning fell inside the powerplay. Purple Cap holder Renuka Singh delivered a brilliant wicket-maiden over, with Ellyse Perry pulling off a sensational catch—one of the best of the season—to dismiss the DC captain. The early breakthrough gave RCB hope, considering the Lanning-Verma duo’s prolific record.

However, in-form Jess Jonassen joined hands with Shafali Verma to rebuild the innings with composure and precision. The duo navigated the powerplay cautiously, taking DC to 41/1 after six overs. RCB had a golden opportunity to break the partnership when Georgia Wareham created a stumping chance, but Richa Ghosh missed it, proving costly.

What followed was a relentless counterattack. The left-right combination worked wonders for DC as boundaries began to flow. Jonassen, enjoying her promotion up the order, led the charge and notched up back-to-back half-centuries. Shafali, meanwhile, played with effortless aggression, reaching her first fifty of the season with a towering six off Wareham, bringing up the 100-run partnership.

RCB’s bowlers struggled to find the right lengths, allowing DC to dictate terms. With a commanding 146-run stand, Shafali (80* off 43) and Jonassen (61 off 38) blew away the home side, securing Delhi Capitals’ place as the first team in the WPL 2025 playoffs in dominant fashion. Shafali finished the game in style with a massive six and a boundary to seal the deal for DC.

Earlier today, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, put into bat by Meg Lanning, were jolted early Shikha Pandey struck, dismissing Smriti Mandhana after being hit for a boundary. The RCB skipper edged one to her counterpart at slips, giving Delhi Capitals the early advantage.

Ellyse Perry and Danni Wyatt-Hodge then steadied the innings, injecting momentum with aggressive stroke play. Wyatt-Hodge took on Jess Jonassen with two sixes in the fifth over, while Perry ended the powerplay with a maximum, pushing RCB to 45/1. However, Marizanne Kapp’s return halted their charge as she removed the dangerous Wyatt-Hodge for 21.

Perry, in sublime form, continued to anchor RCB’s innings, reaching her fourth fifty of the season. Raghvi Bist provided valuable support, but missed chances from DC—Niki Prasad dropping two catches and Sarah Bryce fluffing a stumping—kept RCB in the hunt. However, young N. Charani turned the tide in the 17th over, picking up her maiden WPL wicket by dismissing Raghvi before removing Richa Ghosh in the same over.

Meg Lanning’s tactical bowling changes and Shikha Pandey’s disciplined spell triggered an RCB collapse. Perry remained unbeaten on a stellar 60* off 47, but with little support, RCB managed only 147/5—well below par given their mid-innings momentum. DC bowlers, led by Shikha, staged a commendable comeback to seize control.


The full scorecard and match details can be found here.