WPL 2025: Shafali Verma’s Fearless Approach Praised By Mithali Raj After DC’s Thrilling Win Over MI

February 16, 2025: The stage was set for another electrifying Women’s Premier League encounter, and the fans were not disappointed. In a high-stakes match at Vadodara, Delhi Capitals (DC) pulled off a thrilling two-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians (MI), leaving everyone on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.

DC’s chase of 165 started with explosive intent, thanks to their opener Shafali Verma. From the moment she stepped onto the crease, Shafali was in her element, playing her natural, fearless game. Right from the second ball, she unleashed her signature shots, finding the gaps and clearing boundaries with ease. Cricket legend Mithali Raj, speaking on JioHotstar, was full of praise for Shafali’s aggressive approach.

“I think anyone stepping into Shafali Verma’s shoes would acknowledge how she has never shown a defensive approach. Right from the second ball, she started scoring runs, playing her shots with her usual flair. That’s just her style,” Mithali said, admiring the young batter’s bold mindset.

Shafali’s quick-fire innings put DC firmly in the chase, and her aggressive knock set the stage for a potential win. But the turning point came when she was dismissed. Mithali Raj, with years of experience, was quick to analyze the dismissal.

“The only way to dismiss her today was to outthink her,” Mithali noted. “I understand that feeling because I’ve been in that situation myself. At one point, she had too much time and wasn’t sure where to place the ball. Just before her dismissal, the fielding side adjusted their setup—bringing mid-on up and pushing deep square leg back—because she had found boundaries there. She instinctively aimed to clear mid-on, but the ball went straight to the fielder, and that was a crucial wicket.”

Despite the setback, DC wasn’t out of it yet. At 109/5 in 14.5 overs, with the required run rate creeping up, it seemed like MI might be in control. But Niki Prasad, making her WPL debut, had other plans. Alongside Sarah Bryce, the duo fought hard to keep DC’s hopes alive, ticking off the runs despite wickets falling at the other end.

As the match reached its nerve-wracking conclusion, the equation came down to just 10 runs needed from the final over. The atmosphere was tense, with every ball becoming more crucial. With two runs required off the final delivery, Prasad and Bryce took a risky double, taking the game across the line.

It wasn’t just the pair’s running between the wickets that sealed the win, but the determination and focus they displayed under immense pressure. The final two runs came in dramatic fashion, with Arundhati Reddy and Radha Yadav finishing the chase with a daring double. The stadium erupted as Delhi Capitals secured a thrilling victory.

As the team celebrated, the match’s excitement still lingered in the air. Shafali Verma’s fearless innings set the foundation, but it was Niki Prasad’s composed knock and the finishing touches by Reddy and Yadav that saw DC through. The game had everything—intensity, drama, and a nail-biting finish that will go down as one of the most thrilling encounters in WPL history.

With this win, Delhi Capitals solidified their position as strong contenders for the title. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians will look to bounce back and regroup, knowing they had pushed DC to the very edge. The WPL had once again delivered a heart-stopping contest, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next match.