Delhi Capitals may have begun their Women’s Premier League 2026 campaign with a 50-run defeat against Mumbai Indians, but head coach Jonathan Batty was quick to underline the positives from the opening-night encounter at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.
Despite the margin of the loss, Batty believes the performance offered encouraging signs in execution, team balance and individual contributions that can be built upon as the season progresses.
Chasing a stiff target of 196, Delhi Capitals were bowled out for 145 in 19 overs. Chinelle Henry’s counterattacking 56 off 33 balls stood out in an otherwise difficult chase, as Mumbai Indians’ bowlers applied sustained pressure through the middle overs. Earlier, Mumbai had posted 195 for 4, anchored by authoritative half-centuries from Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt, who combined to set the platform for a commanding total.
Reflecting on the game, Batty felt Delhi’s bowlers had executed their plans well for large portions of the first innings. “I thought it was a really good wicket,” he said at the post-match press conference. “In the first half, we bowled really well for the first ten overs and were pretty happy. We would have liked another wicket or two, but their two best batters put together a great partnership.”
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Batty acknowledged that small lapses proved costly on a ground known for its fast outfield and short boundaries. “Our plans were very good and about 75 per cent of what we did with the ball was really good. When we missed, we missed quite significantly, which allowed them to get away a little,” he explained. Even so, the DC head coach felt the target was within reach given the strength of his batting unit. “With a quick outfield and short boundaries, 190 is a chasable score with our batting line-up.”
Delhi’s chase, however, never quite found momentum. Early wickets put them on the back foot, forcing the middle order into a rebuilding act that eventually fell short. Batty pointed to a decisive phase during the power play as the turning point. “We did not quite click with the bat. One of those days. Nicola Carey bowled really well and probably turned the game in that one powerplay over by getting those two wickets and putting us under pressure,” he said.
Despite the defeat, Batty remained confident in the composition and depth of the Delhi Capitals batting lineup. “I am really happy with the batting line-up we have got. It is a fantastic top seven or eight, with Sneh Rana coming in at number eight. That line-up should score heavily through the tournament,” he said. The DC coach also stressed that while combinations will always be reviewed, there was no reason for immediate concern. “We always reassess things, but I am really pleased with that group. Players like Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues have a lot of quality and they will click.”
One of the major positives on the night was the performance of debutant Nandni Sharma, who impressed with figures of 2 for 26 against a formidable Mumbai batting order. Batty revealed that the young pacer had been tracked closely by the franchise. “Nandni has been on our radar for quite some time. She has been to a few trial camps and had a good domestic year,” he said. “She has been really impressive in training and bowled beautifully in different roles. To finish with figures like she did on debut is a really good start to her WPL career.”
Batty also highlighted a telling comparison from the game to emphasize how competitive the contest had been for long periods. “At one stage, we were 88 for 6 and they were 88 for 2. That shows how the game was positioned at that point,” he noted. “There are lots of good things to come out of that, and we will take those into the debrief.”
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For Delhi Capitals, the opening loss serves as an early reminder of the fine margins that define the WPL. The franchise has reached the final in all three editions of the league so far, finishing runners-up each time, and expectations remain high once again. Batty’s measured assessment suggests a side focused on process rather than panic, confident that results will follow once performances align more consistently.
Delhi Capitals will look to bounce back quickly when they take on Gujarat Giants in their second WPL 2026 fixture on Sunday, January 11, at the same venue. With lessons learned from their opener and belief intact within the camp, the Capitals will aim to turn promise into points as the tournament gathers momentum.
