Harmanpreet, Sciver-Brunt help MI complete quick turnaround

After a stinging defeat in the WPL 2026 opener, Mumbai Indians bounced back with a comprehensive 50-run victory over Delhi Capitals at the DY Patil Stadium. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (74* off 42) and her deputy Nat Sciver-Brunt (70 off 46) led the batting charge to post 195 for 4. A disciplined bowling effort then bundled Delhi out for 145 despite late fireworks from Chinelle Henry.

Asked to bat first, Mumbai overcame early struggles. Amelia Kerr was dismissed for a golden duck, while G Kamilini fell to a catch. Sciver-Brunt anchored the initial phase with a quick 32 off 20 balls before partnering with Harmanpreet.

The pair added 66 runs for the fourth wicket in 47 deliveries to accelerate the innings. Harmanpreet was aggressive against the pacers in her top-scoring effort. Sciver-Brunt reached a 32-ball half-century, but it was Harmanpreet who broke a brief lull with a six and a four off Chinelle Henry to take MI past 100 by the 13th over. Sciver-Brunt slammed three sixes off Minnu Mani in the next over but fell soon after, leaving Harmanpreet to finish the innings.

Harmanpreet found support in Nicola Carey, who scored 21 off 12 balls. The captain raised her 34-ball half-century and then struck four consecutive boundaries in the final over to push MI to a formidable total.

Delhi's chase never gained momentum. Shafali Verma struggled early, and debutant Lizelle Lee scored only 10 off 10 balls. Nicola Carey struck twice in an over, removing Verma and Laura Wolvaardt. Delhi lost their fourth wicket inside the PowerPlay when skipper Jemimah Rodrigues fell to a one-handed catch by Kamilini.

Chinelle Henry resisted, adding 40 runs for the sixth wicket with Niki Prasad (12 off 18) and partnerships in the 20s with Sneh Rana and Minnu Mani, but the required run-rate spiraled. Amelia Kerr, introduced late, took key wickets of Niki, Minnu, and finally Henry to end Delhi's resistance. Kerr finished with 3 for 24, while Carey took 3 for 37 as Delhi were bowled out in the 19th over.

Brief scores: Mumbai Indians 195/4 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 74*, Nat Sciver-Brunt 70; Nandini Sharma 2-26) beat Delhi Capitals 145 all out in 19 overs (Chinelle Henry 56; Amelia Kerr 3-24, Nicola Carey 3-37) by 50 runs.