DC vs MI, WPL 2026, match 3 report: MI bounce back with a clinical 50-run demolition of Delhi Capitals

After a heartbreaking opening-day loss, the Mumbai Indians (MI) reignited their WPL 2026 campaign spectacularly, crushing the Delhi Capitals (DC) by 50 runs at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy. A night that began with early jitters for the defending champions ended in total dominance, as their senior pros delivered with the bat before the bowlers dismantled a high-powered Delhi batting lineup.

The mid-innings rescue: "Harman-Brunt" show

Sent in to bat first by DC’s new captain Jemimah Rodrigues, Mumbai’s start was anything but ideal. Amelia Kerr’s horror run continued as she was sent back for a golden duck, courtesy of a brilliant diving catch by Lizelle Lee off Chinelle Henry. When young wicketkeeper Gunalan Kamalini fell for 16, MI were stuttering at 51/2.

However, the experience of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur took center stage. The pair added a steadying 66-run partnership.

Sciver-Brunt was the initial aggressor, slicing through the off-side with precision to reach her 9th WPL fifty (70 off 46 balls).

After Sciver-Brunt’s departure in the 15th over, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur shifted into a higher gear. In a breathtaking display of power, Harmanpreet dismantled the DC death bowling, particularly targeting young Shree Charani in a final over that yielded 19 runs.

Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 74 off 42 balls, propelling MI to a formidable 195/4, the highest score against Delhi in WPL history.

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The collapse: Carey and Kerr rip through DC

Chasing 196 was always going to be a mountainous task, but the Mumbai bowlers ensured it became an impossible one. Nat Sciver-Brunt set the tone early by dismissing the dangerous Lizelle Lee for 10.

Then came the Nicola Carey show. The Australian seamer produced a double-strike of the highest quality in the 5th over, cleaning up both Shafali Verma (8) and Laura Wolvaardt (9) with deliveries that seamed back sharply to rattle the woodwork.

When Shabnim Ismail induced an edge from Jemimah Rodrigues, DC had slumped to a disastrous 33/4 within the powerplay.

The spin department then took over. Amelia Kerr, making up for her golden duck, turned the ball square to bamboozle the lower order.

Kerr finished with impressive figures of 3/24, including the wicket of Chinelle Henry, who was the only shining light for Delhi with a fighting 56 off 33 balls.

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Delhi Capitals’ chase eventually fizzled out at 145 all out in the 19th over. The 50-run margin of victory significantly boosts Mumbai’s Net Run Rate (NRR) and moves them up the table, while Delhi will be left searching for answers after their top-order collapse.

For the Capitals, the silver lining was the form of Chinelle Henry (56 off 33) and the debut performance of Nandani Sharma, who claimed 2/26.

However, their senior batters' failure to handle the swing of Carey and the spin of Kerr proved fatal under the lights of Navi Mumbai.