Welcome to IPL Star, your go-to source for niche cricket news with a special focus on IPL and WPL updates. In the heart-pounding world of women’s cricket, few matches capture the raw tension like the DC vs UPW WPL 2026 clash. On February 1, 2026, at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, Delhi Capitals Women (DCW) faced off against UP Warriorz Women (UPW) in Match 20 of the Women’s Premier League 2026.
This wasn’t just any game—it was a must-win for DC to secure their spot in the Eliminator and keep their playoff dreams alive. What unfolded was a nail-biting thriller where DC overcame a mid-chase collapse to win by 5 wickets with 8 balls to spare, knocking out defending champions Mumbai Indians in the process.
DC vs UPW WPL 2026 has been buzzing across cricket forums, with fans dissecting every delivery. Delhi Capitals, led by the composed Jemimah Rodrigues, restricted UP Warriorz to a modest 122/8 before chasing it down at 126/5 in 18.4 overs. Marizanne Kapp’s fiery 3/30 earned her the Player of the Match, but it was the team’s resilience that stole the show. This victory marks DC’s fourth consecutive playoff qualification in WPL history, a testament to their consistency despite a rollercoaster season.
As we dive deeper into this DC vs UPW WPL 2026 recap, we’ll break down the toss, innings highlights, key performances, tactical insights, and playoff implications. Whether you’re a die-hard Delhi fan or just catching up on WPL 2026 match 20 highlights, this analysis has you covered. Let’s relive the drama that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The Build-Up: Why DC vs UPW WPL 2026 Match 20 Was a Do-or-Die Battle
The Women’s Premier League 2026 has been a season of surprises, with tight contests and emerging stars. Heading into Match 20, Delhi Capitals sat precariously with 6 points from 7 games, needing a win to leapfrog into the playoffs. UP Warriorz, on the other hand, were already out of contention but aimed to play spoilers. The head-to-head record favored DC, who had won both previous encounters this season—including a 7-wicket victory in Match 7 and a 5-wicket win in an earlier clash, as per Times of India records.
The venue, BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, offered a balanced pitch with some grip for spinners and early movement for pacers. Historical data from WPL matches here shows an average first-innings score of around 140, making UPW’s eventual total look under par. Toss time: Delhi Capitals won and opted to bowl, a strategic call given their strong bowling attack led by Kapp and Chinelle Henry.
Broadcast details added to the hype—streamed live on JioHotstar and televised on Star Sports Network. Umpires Tony Emmatty and Vrinda Rathi oversaw the action, with Ankita Guha as third umpire and GS Lakshmi as referee. As the sun set on February 1, 2026 (7:30 PM local time), the stage was set for a classic.
Fan anticipation was palpable on social media. As one X user, Vishwesh Gaur (@iumvishwesh), noted before the game: “Analysis: Average run by phase for DC & UPW in WPL history. Powerplay: Overs 1-6… Stats before today’s encounter.” Such insights highlighted DC’s edge in death overs, which proved crucial.
UP Warriorz Batting Collapse – How DC Bowlers Dominated Early
UP Warriorz’s innings was a story of early promise derailed by clinical bowling from Delhi Capitals. Sent in to bat, UPW crumbled under pressure, managing just 122/8 in 20 overs. The powerplay set the tone, with DC’s seamers exploiting the conditions masterfully.
It started disastrously for UPW. Captain Meg Lanning, one of the most decorated batters in women’s cricket, faced her first WPL duck—trapped lbw first ball by Chinelle Henry’s outswinger. As Hindustan Times reported, “Chinelle Henry handed Meg Lanning her first WPL duck.” This early jolt left UPW reeling at 0/1 after 0.1 overs.
Deepti Sharma (24 off 19, 4 fours, 1 six) and debutant Charli Knott (12 off 12, 2 fours) tried to counterattack, adding 29 for the second wicket. But Marizanne Kapp entered the fray and dismantled the partnership. Knott was caught behind off a well-directed bouncer, and Deepti sliced a skier to extra cover. By the end of the powerplay (overs 0.1-6), UPW were 36/3—mandatory powerplay runs at a run rate of 6.00.
The middle overs saw further procession. Harleen Deol (3 off 11) struggled before being lbw to Shree Charani’s first ball. Deandra Dottin (5 off 9), brought in for Chloe Tryon, fell lbw to Kapp, pushing UPW to 52/5 after 10 overs. As Sportstar highlighted, “UPW had dotted up 31 balls in their first eight overs,” underscoring the pressure.
Lower-order resistance came from Simran Shaikh (22 off 14, 3 fours), who punched and swept effectively, and Shipra Giri (9 off 8, 1 four). But wickets kept tumbling—Minnu Mani claimed Giri, and Charani dismissed Asha Sobhana (13 off 13, 1 six). Shikha Pandey (23* off 13, 3 fours) and Sophie Ecclestone (10* off 20) added a crucial unbeaten 28 off 19 balls in the death overs (16-20), swelling the total past 120.
Kapp’s spell (4-0-30-3) was the highlight, though she conceded at 7.50 economy—higher than her average. Charani (4-0-22-2) and Henry (4-0-25-2) supported brilliantly. Nandni Sharma (4-0-21-0) and others kept it tight.
Here’s the full UP Warriorz scorecard in tabular form for easy reference:
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meg Lanning (c) | lbw b Chinelle Henry | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Deepti Sharma | c Niki Prasad b Marizanne Kapp | 24 | 19 | 4 | 1 | 126.32 |
| Charli Knott | c Lizelle Lee b Marizanne Kapp | 12 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Harleen Deol | lbw b Shree Charani | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 27.27 |
| Deandra Dottin | lbw b Marizanne Kapp | 5 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 55.56 |
| Simran Shaikh | c Minnu Mani b Chinelle Henry | 22 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 157.14 |
| Shipra Giri (wk) | c Shafali Verma b Minnu Mani | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 112.50 |
| Sophie Ecclestone | not out | 10 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Asha Sobhana Joy | c Minnu Mani b Shree Charani | 13 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 100.00 |
| Shikha Pandey | not out | 23 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 176.92 |
| Extras | (w 1) | 1 | ||||
| Total | 122/8 (20 overs, RR: 6.10) |
Did not bat: Kranti Gaud.
Bowling figures:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinelle Henry | 4 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.20 |
| Marizanne Kapp | 4 | 0 | 30 | 3 | 7.50 |
| Nandni Sharma | 4 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 5.20 |
| Minnu Mani | 2 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 6.50 |
| Shree Charani | 4 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 5.50 |
| Sneh Rana | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 5.50 |
Fall of wickets:
| Wicket | Score | Over | Batter Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0/1 | 0.1 | Meg Lanning |
| 2 | 29/2 | 3.6 | Charli Knott |
| 3 | 36/3 | 5.6 | Deepti Sharma |
| 4 | 40/4 | 8.1 | Harleen Deol |
| 5 | 52/5 | 9.4 | Deandra Dottin |
| 6 | 74/6 | 11.6 | Shipra Giri |
| 7 | 76/7 | 12.3 | Simran Shaikh |
| 8 | 94/8 | 16.5 | Asha Sobhana Joy |
Partnerships were brief, with the highest being 29 (Deepti-Knott). UPW’s 48% dot balls and only 68 runs from boundaries (14 fours, 2 sixes) reflected DC’s dominance. As Meg Lanning said post-match (via NDTV Sports), “We just haven’t been consistent enough… batting innings again didn’t get going.”
This innings exposed UPW’s top-order fragility, a recurring theme in WPL 2026. Expert Prasanna on X suggested better resource use, like Dottin higher up. Moving forward, UPW needs to address this for future seasons.
Delhi Capitals Chase Drama: From Dominant Start to Nervous Finish – Jemimah Rodrigues Saves the Day
Chasing 123 on a pitch that slowed down, Delhi Capitals started confidently but invited self-doubt with a collapse before captain Jemimah Rodrigues’ heroics sealed the deal. DC reached 126/5 in 18.4 overs, but the path was far from smooth.
The powerplay (0.1-6 overs) yielded 38/1. Lizelle Lee (10 off 10, 2 fours) departed early, caught at mid-off off Deandra Dottin. But Shafali Verma (29 off 33, 2 fours) and Laura Wolvaardt (47 off 36, 7 fours) steadied with a 73-run stand. Wolvaardt rode her luck—dropped thrice (by Ecclestone at midwicket, Dottin at point, Asha at short third)—and punished Kranti Gaud with four boundaries in the ninth over, as per Indian Express.
By the halfway mark, DC were cruising at 70/1, the required rate under 6. Shafali played anchor, a mature shift from her usual aggression. But Wolvaardt’s dismissal (caught off Deepti Sharma) in the 13th over triggered chaos. From 84/2, DC slumped to 101/5: Shafali clunked a half-tracker to cover off Shikha Pandey, Marizanne Kapp (0 off 5) holed out to mid-off off Ecclestone, and Chinelle Henry (1 off 4) returned a catch to Deepti.
Panic ensued, with Mumbai Indians fans hoping for a miracle. But Jemimah Rodrigues (34* off 18, 5 fours) remained unflappable. She swept Deepti for four, lofted Asha inside-out over cover, and finished with back-to-back boundaries off Deepti in the 18th over. Niki Prasad (4* off 6) supported.
As News18 reported, “A collapse of 3 for 4 made the chase of 123 nervous, but Rodrigues sealed the win.” DC’s run rate was 6.75, with 35% dot balls—a sign of caution.
Full Delhi Capitals scorecard:
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lizelle Lee (wk) | c Kranti Gaud b Deandra Dottin | 10 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Shafali Verma | c Meg Lanning b Shikha Pandey | 29 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 87.88 |
| Laura Wolvaardt | c Sophie Ecclestone b Deepti Sharma | 47 | 36 | 7 | 0 | 130.56 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues (c) | not out | 34 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 188.89 |
| Marizanne Kapp | c Kranti Gaud b Sophie Ecclestone | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Chinelle Henry | c & b Deepti Sharma | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Niki Prasad | not out | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Extras | (lb 1) | 1 | ||||
| Total | 126/5 (18.4 overs, RR: 6.75) |
Did not bat: Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma.
Bowling figures:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shikha Pandey | 4 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 4.20 |
| Deandra Dottin | 4 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 7.50 |
| Kranti Gaud | 2 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 11.00 |
| Sophie Ecclestone | 4 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 5.00 |
| Deepti Sharma | 3.4 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 7.40 |
| Asha Sobhana Joy | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 9.00 |
Fall of wickets:
| Wicket | Score | Over | Batter Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11/1 | 1.5 | Lizelle Lee |
| 2 | 84/2 | 12.3 | Laura Wolvaardt |
| 3 | 97/3 | 14.2 | Shafali Verma |
| 4 | 98/4 | 15.2 | Marizanne Kapp |
| 5 | 101/5 | 16.2 | Chinelle Henry |
Partnerships: 73 (Wolvaardt-Shafali), 25 (Rodrigues-Prasad unbeaten). The chase showcased DC’s depth but highlighted finishing issues, as coach Jonathan Batty noted: “We do like making hard work of these run-chases.”
Standout Performers & Key Battles – Player Ratings & Analysis
In DC vs UPW WPL 2026, individual brilliance turned the tide. Here’s a rated breakdown of key players, based on impact.
Marizanne Kapp (DC) – 9.5/10: Player of the Match. Her 3/30, including Deepti and Dottin, broke UPW’s back. Despite leaking runs (economy 7.50), her 10 dot balls in powerplay were gold. Kapp now has 6 POTM awards in WPL, tying for second-most. As she said, “Any team, if you get them a few down in a powerplay, you have a good chance.”
Laura Wolvaardt (DC) – 8.5/10: 47 off 36 anchored the chase. Survived drops to hit 7 fours, turning pressure into dominance. Her 73-run stand with Shafali was pivotal. Wolvaardt’s season form (average 40+) shines through.
Jemimah Rodrigues (DC, Captain) – 9/10: Unbeaten 34* off 18 under duress. Her sweeps and drives eased nerves, finishing with flair. Leadership shone—DC’s only team in all four playoffs. “We were always assured… calmness about this team,” she reflected.
Chinelle Henry (DC) – 8/10: 2/25 with ball (Lanning duck, Shaikh), though 1 off 4 batting. Her opening over set tone.
Shree Charani (DC) – 8/10: 2/22, wickets on first ball and Sobhana. Economy 5.50 controlled middle overs.
Deepti Sharma (UPW) – 7.5/10: All-round effort—24 runs, 2/27 (Wolvaardt, Henry). Top-scored but couldn’t stem collapse.
Shikha Pandey (UPW) – 7.5/10: 23* runs, 1/17 (Shafali). Late burst gave respectability.
Shafali Verma (DC) – 6.5/10: 29 off 33 was steady but off-color. Mature role, but miscued pull ended stand.
Meg Lanning (UPW, Captain) – 4/10: Golden duck hurt. Season inconsistency plagued UPW.
Key battles: Kapp vs Lanning/Deepti—Kapp won with early strikes. Wolvaardt vs UPW spinners—survived Ecclestone (1/20) to attack. Rodrigues vs Deepti/Ecclestone—her boundaries off them sealed it.
From X, Sandeep Dalvi praised: “POTM: Kapp — Clinical… Wolvaardt 47 anchored.” Ritwika Dhar noted team balances pre-season.
Tactical Masterclass, Stats & What the Numbers Tell Us – DC vs UPW WPL 2026
Tactically, DC’s decision to bowl first paid off, exploiting early swing. UPW’s aggressive powerplay backfired, while DC mixed pace and spin effectively. Fielding: DC dropped 7 catches tournament-wide (83.7% efficiency), UPW 12 (67.5%)—Wolvaardt’s lives cost UPW dearly.
Scoring breakdown table:
| Phase | UPW Runs/Wkts | DC Runs/Wkts | Boundaries (UPW/DC) | Dots % (UPW/DC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay (1-6) | 36/3 | 38/1 | 6/4 / 4/0 | 50%/45% |
| Middle (7-15) | 56/4 | 62/3 | 5/1 / 8/0 | 48%/35% |
| Death (16-20) | 30/1 | 26/1 | 3/1 / 4/0 | 40%/25% |
UPW: 68 boundary runs, 1 extra. DC: 64 boundary runs, 1 extra. Sixes: 2/0.
Catching efficiency in WPL 2026:
| Team | Efficiency % | Drops |
|---|---|---|
| DC | 83.7 | 7 |
| RCB | 79.0 | 9 |
| MI | 75.0 | 11 |
| GG | 69.5 | 14 |
| UPW | 67.5 | 12 |
Most POTM in WPL: Harmanpreet 8, Kapp 6*, etc.
NRR impact: DC’s win improved to -0.055, securing third. As Cricket by JB on X analyzed, “Another dismal season for UPW… Lanning’s golden duck was always too big a void.”
Venue guide: Slow pitch favored bowlers, average score 130—UPW needed 10-12 more, per experts.
Reactions, Quotes & Playoff Picture After Match 20 – WPL 2026
Post-match, emotions ran high. Kapp: “Happy with the win… pressure on you as an international.” Rodrigues: “Our bowlers have been brave… sticking to strengths.” Batty: “Delighted… Jemi’s been outstanding.” Lanning: “Fought to the end… not the season we wanted.”
Fan reactions on X: “DC beat UPW… sealing spot,” said Sandeep Dalvi. Abhinav Mukund’s unrelated post reminds of close calls.
Updated points table:
| Team | M | W | L | PTS | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-W | 8 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 1.247 |
| GG-W | 8 | 5 | 3 | 10 | -0.168 |
| DC-W | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 | -0.055 |
| MI-W | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 0.059 |
| UPW-W | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 | -1.076 |
DC face GG in Eliminator (Feb 3), winner vs RCB in Final (Feb 5). MI out—DC’s streak continues.
Wrapping Up the Epic DC vs UPW WPL 2026 Saga
In DC vs UPW WPL 2026, Delhi’s grit triumphed over UPW’s fightback, securing an Eliminator berth. From Lanning’s duck to Rodrigues’ finish, it was pure drama. As IPL Star, we celebrate such moments—stay tuned for more WPL coverage. Share your thoughts below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – DC vs UPW WPL 2026, 20th Match
- Who won DC vs UPW WPL 2026 20th match? Delhi Capitals Women defeated UP Warriorz Women by 5 wickets with 8 balls remaining in the thrilling DC vs UPW WPL 2026 20th match of Women’s Premier League 2026. Played on February 1, 2026, at BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara, DC chased down UPW’s 122/8 to secure a crucial victory and qualify for the Eliminator.
- What was the final score in Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026 match? UP Warriorz scored 122/8 in 20 overs, with Shikha Pandey (23*) and Deepti Sharma (24) top-scoring. Delhi Capitals chased 126/5 in 18.4 overs, led by Laura Wolvaardt’s 47 and captain Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 34*. Full DC vs UPW WPL 2026 scorecard details are available in the article.
- Who was Player of the Match in DC vs UPW WPL 2026? Marizanne Kapp was named Player of the Match for her outstanding 3/30 in 4 overs, dismantling UPW’s middle order with key wickets of Deepti Sharma, Charli Knott, and Deandra Dottin. DC vs UPW WPL 2026 Her spell set up DC’s dominant bowling performance in this must-win game.
- How did Jemimah Rodrigues perform in WPL 2026 match 20 vs UP Warriorz? Captain Jemimah Rodrigues played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 34* off 18 balls (5 fours), guiding DC through a mid-chase collapse from 101/5 to victory. DC vs UPW WPL 2026 Her composed sweeps and drives against Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone highlighted her leadership in DC vs UPW WPL 2026.
- What is the WPL 2026 points table after match 20? DC vs UPW WPL 2026 After DC’s win, the updated WPL 2026 points table stood: RCB (12 pts), Gujarat Giants (10 pts), Delhi Capitals (8 pts, qualified for Eliminator), Mumbai Indians (6 pts, eliminated), UP Warriorz (4 pts). DC’s victory knocked out defending champions MI.
- Did Delhi Capitals qualify for playoffs after DC vs UPW WPL 2026? Yes, Delhi Capitals qualified for the Eliminator with an 8-point finish, marking their fourth consecutive WPL playoff appearance. DC vs UPW WPL 2026 They faced Gujarat Giants on February 3, 2026, with the winner advancing to the final against table-toppers RCB.
- Who took the most wickets in Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz 20th match? Marizanne Kapp led with 3/30, supported by Chinelle Henry (2/25) and Shree Charani (2/22). DC vs UPW WPL 2026 DC’s bowlers exploited early swing, triggering UPW’s collapse to 52/5, a key factor in the low-scoring WPL 2026 match 20 thriller.
- What were the key highlights of Delhi Capitals chase vs UP Warriorz in WPL 2026? Highlights included a 73-run stand between Shafali Verma (29) and Laura Wolvaardt (47, survived three drops), a tense collapse (3 wickets for 4 runs), and Jemimah Rodrigues’ calm finish with back-to-back boundaries. DC overcame nerves to win by 5 wickets.
- Where and when was DC vs UPW WPL 2026 20th match played? The match took place on February 1, 2026, at BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara. Delhi elected to bowl first on a slow pitch that assisted seamers and spinners, leading to UPW’s below-par 122/8 in this crucial league-stage encounter.
- What were the playoff implications of DC vs UPW WPL 2026 match 20? DC’s 5-wicket win secured their Eliminator spot against Gujarat Giants while eliminating Mumbai Indians. It extended Delhi’s historic streak of playoff qualifications and highlighted their resilience despite a mid-season slump in WPL 2026.