In the second Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 match, Delhi Capitals won a heart-stopping game against Mumbai Indians by a mere 2 wickets in the final ball.

The Saturday match was an emotional roller-coaster, with both sides taking turns to gain and lose momentum during the game. The high drama of the final over, coupled with a disputed umpire call, contributed to the suspense and tension that made this match unforgettable.

Mumbai Indians’ Innings: A Strong Start, but No Support

Choosing to field first, Delhi Capitals managed to restrict Mumbai Indians to a total of 164 runs in 19.1 overs. Despite a brilliant individual performance from Nat Sciver-Brunt, who scored an unbeaten 80 runs off 59 balls, Mumbai’s batting faltered as the middle and lower order failed to contribute effectively.

Sciver-Brunt’s innings consisted of 13 boundaries, some of which were crisp shots through the covers. She was ably supported by Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored a fast-paced 42 runs off 22 balls, comprising three fours and a six

The two big-hitting batswomen shared a 73-run third-wicket stand in only 40 balls, providing Mumbai Indians with the hopes of posting a fighting score. But once Harmanpreet Kaur went, the middle order collapsed.

Delhi bowlers staged an impressive comeback and picked up eight wickets for only 59 runs, and MI was skittled out for 164 runs in 19.1 overs.

Shikha Pandey’s Major Contribution to the Ball

Shikha Pandey was Delhi’s pick of the bowlers, producing a gem of performance with the ball. She picked up two wickets for a mere 14 runs. Pandey got rid of both Mumbai’s openers early in the innings: Hayley Matthews (0) and Yastika Bhatia (11). Her early strikes were instrumental in getting Mumbai on the back foot.

In spite of a solid partnership between Sciver-Brunt and Kaur, Pandey’s tight bowling during the powerplay kept MI’s run rate in check.

Another significant contribution came from Minnu Mani, who bowled economically, taking one wicket for 23 runs. However, some of the other Delhi bowlers proved expensive, allowing Mumbai to accumulate runs during the middle overs. Alice Capsey, for instance, conceded 19 runs in one over, which gave Mumbai’s middle order some breathing space.

Delhi Capitals’ Chase: A Rollercoaster Ride

In response to Mumbai’s total, Delhi Capitals had a solid start, with Shefali Verma leading the charge. She played a scintillating knock of 43 runs off 18 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes, which set the tone for the chase.

Delhi managed to score 60 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket, with Shefali’s aggressive batting taking center stage. Her blistering start seemed to put the team on course for an easy victory.

But the match turned dramatic as Delhi Capitals lost four wickets for only 16 runs. Mumbai Indians staged a strong comeback, and the Delhi batters were put under pressure. Despite this loss, Nikki Prasad played a calm knock, scoring an unbeaten 27 runs to take her team to the finish line.

A Thrilling Last Over: Delhi Wins by 2 Wickets

The last over of the match became a thriller of sorts, as Delhi Capitals required 21 runs from the remaining 12 balls, with four wickets remaining. The platform was laid for an edge-of-the-seat finish.

Radha Yadav, who was batting at number nine, hit a vital six in the over, and Nikki Prasad hit a boundary next. But just when Delhi appeared to be reaching the target, Nikki was out on the fifth ball of the over. With Arundhati Yadav at the wicket, she had to hit two runs off the last ball to win the match.

In a contentious moment, a possible run-out at the striker’s end created controversy among fans and commentators. Nikki Yadav, the non-striker, seemed to have her bat outside the crease when the wicketkeeper dislodged the stumps.

The third umpire declared her not out, even though the keeper had shattered the stumps prior to Nikki’s bat being within the crease, and the bails did not dislodge.

This decision led to an uproar on social media, as many believed the run-out should have been given. Regardless, Delhi Capitals managed to win the match in a last-ball thriller, securing victory by just 2 wickets.

Sciver-Brunt’s Heroic Effort and Mumbai’s Missed Opportunities

Even with the loss, Nat Sciver-Brunt delivered a match-winning knock for Mumbai, but she failed to get support from the other batters, so she could not take her team to a higher score. The absence of partnerships throughout the match was a prime reason behind the downfall of Mumbai.

On the other hand, Harmanpreet Kaur’s aggressive innings of 42 runs was another highlight for Mumbai, but her dismissal in the 14th over was a turning point. With wickets falling from the other end, Mumbai struggled to capitalize on the strong foundation set by Sciver-Brunt and Kaur.

Controversial Ending and Delhi’s Victory

The match between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians in WPL 2025 was filled with excitement, tension, and controversy. Delhi’s chase of 164 runs was a dramatic rollercoaster, with momentum shifting back and forth between the teams. The last-ball thriller, coupled with a controversial umpire decision, left fans and players on edge.

In the end, Delhi Capitals won by 2 wickets, securing victory in a game that will be remembered for the high drama, explosive innings, and thriller finish.

ALSO READ: Top 5 Non-Opener Batsmen In T20 International Cricket

In the fast-paced world of T20I cricket, batting dynamics differ from those seen in other formats. Openers often get the most opportunities to face balls, benefiting from the fielding restrictions during the powerplay, which makes it easier to score boundaries, including sixes.

However, the role of non-opener batsmen is equally crucial. These players, typically positioned in the middle or lower order, are often tasked with capitalizing on the final overs of an innings, where the pressure is high, and the need for quick runs becomes paramount.

Many non-opener batsmen have developed reputations as game-changers, particularly for their powerful hitting ability.

top 5 non-opener batsmen who have hit the most sixes in T20 International (T20I)

1. Nicholas Pooran – 149 Sixes

Country: West Indies
Matches Played: 106
Innings Played: 97

Nicholas Pooran, the explosive West Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, leads the list of non-opener batsmen with the most sixes in T20I cricket. Having represented the West Indies in 106 matches, Pooran has smashed 149 sixes, displaying his exceptional power-hitting abilities.

He has primarily batted in the middle order, and his knack for clearing the boundary with ease has made him one of the most destructive players in T20 cricket. Known for his ability to accelerate in the latter stages of an innings, Pooran’s consistency in hitting sixes has made him a major asset for the West Indies in the T20 format.

His powerful stroke play is well-regarded, and his ability to turn the game around with his six-hitting prowess makes him one of the hardest hitters in world cricket.

2. Suryakumar Yadav – 137 Sixes

Country: India
Matches Played: 50+
Innings Played: 50+

Suryakumar Yadav has quickly risen to prominence as one of India’s top T20I batsmen, known for his stylish and innovative stroke play. While he has batted at the top of the order on occasion, most of his sixes have come from the middle order, where he often enters the game under pressure and needs to accelerate the scoring.

With 137 sixes to his name, Yadav has established himself as one of the most feared non-opener batsmen in T20 cricket. His ability to strike the ball in all directions, coupled with his range of innovative shots, makes him a constant threat to any bowling attack.

His appearances have been part of India’s T20 victories, and by continuing this form, Yadav will soon be up for the position at the top of this list.

3. David Miller – 129 Sixes

Country: South Africa
Matches Played: 100+
Innings Played: 80+

David Miller is often considered one of the most harmful finishers of T20 cricket. Miller has hit 129 sixes in T20I cricket during his career. He has become a consistent boundary hitter, more so in the middle and lower order.

His contribution of coming into the final overs and altering the course of a game by big-hitting is invaluable for South Africa. Miller’s clean ball-striking ability and remarkable power have earned him a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the game.

Whether coming in at number five or six, his role as a finisher has seen him play crucial knocks that have often turned matches in South Africa’s favor, cementing his place as one of the most sought-after T20 players globally.

4. Glenn Maxwell – 123 Sixes

Country: Australia
Matches Played: 90+
Innings Played: 80+

Australia’s Glenn Maxwell, also known as “The Big Show,” has built a career around his unorthodox and fearless batting style. Maxwell has been a match-winner for Australia on numerous occasions, and his 123 sixes in T20I cricket reflect his aggressive approach to the game.

While he has opened the batting on occasion, most of Maxwell’s sixes have come while he’s batted in the middle order. Maxwell’s innovative shot-making and ability to hit in all areas of the ground have made him one of the most exciting and impactful players in T20 cricket.

His ability to clear the boundary in pressure situations has often been pivotal in Australia’s success, particularly when the game is on the line. Maxwell’s fearless nature and aggressive intent make him one of the top non-opener batsmen in the T20I format.

5. Eoin Morgan – 120 Sixes

Country: England
Matches Played: 115
Innings Played: 110+

Eoin Morgan, the former England captain, has had a lasting impact on the team’s approach to limited-overs cricket, especially in the T20I format. Known for his powerful hitting and innovative shot selection, Morgan has struck 120 sixes in his T20I career.

He played a key role in transforming England’s batting approach, introducing a more aggressive mindset that has since become a hallmark of their limited-overs cricket. Even though Morgan has stepped away from international cricket, he remains one of the best middle-order hitters in T20 cricket.

He was the kind of cricketer who made his mark by remaining very cool and composed under pressure, innovating with the bat, and always scoring big shots in crunch time to take the game away from the opposition.
The role of non-openers in T20 cricket:

While openers get more opportunities to hit sixes as there are some restrictions on fielding and because of the amount of time they spend at the crease, it has also been shown that the other non-openers are mighty hitters.

The above players have proven that the middle and lower-order batsmen can change the game with boundary hitting.

Whether it’s Nicholas Pooran’s consistent hitting, Suryakumar Yadav’s stylish stroke play, David Miller’s match-finishing abilities, Glenn Maxwell’s aggressive approach, or Eoin Morgan’s innovative shots, these players have shown that non-opener batsmen can be just as dominant in T20 cricket as their opening counterparts.

Their ability to hit sixes in high-pressure situations and their consistency in clearing the boundary has played a crucial role in the success of their team.

They are perfect examples of the role of middle and lower order in T20 cricket and prove that it is not the prerogative of the openers to perform powerful hitting alone, but also the ones who come in later in the innings.

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