Capitals have shifted their mindset after the Mumbai leg, reaping rewards: Katey Martin

Delhi Capitals scored a resounding seven-wicket win over table toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday night and moved to the second position in the points table of the Women’s Premier League. Capitals, who have had a bad start to the tournament, are warming their way up and the heat is now on for the playoffs. Incidentally, this was Bengaluru’s first loss in the tournament.

Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues too took her time to get into the groove and with each match she is looking a better leader on the field. The Capitals are looking good with every player contributing to the team’s cause at different times.

After the early hiccups, Capitals are now looking a different team. How did this happen? Former New Zealand cricketer Katey Martin said it was their ability to learn from the loss and adapt their bowling strategy which has made the difference.

“Delhi Capitals know what they must do to bounce back. They have shifted their mindset after the Navi Mumbai leg of the WPL 2026, understanding what works here in Vadodara. I think their bowlers have led this change. Nandani Sharma, the way she takes wickets at the death, is key to their plan. They played carefully and gave up chances in the chase against RCB, but they wanted to finish within 18 overs to move into second place. They have also not lost to the same team twice this season. That shows they learn and adapt when they face an opponent again,” Katey said on JioHotStar’s Match Centre Live.

Jemimah Rodrigues backed the bowlers and they backed her plans. We saw her energy in the celebrations too, says Katey Martin

‘Jemimah’s bowling changes were good’

The New Zealand also praised Jemimah’s proactive captaincy and effective bowler management for Delhi Capitals. “It was an interesting move by Delhi to open with medium-pacer Chinelle Henry, instead of Marizanne Kapp who usually bowls the first over. The bowling changes at certain moments were very good by captain Jemimah Rodrigues. She was constantly moving around the field and talking to her bowlers. For a captain, to keep the team balanced while doing that can be challenging, but she kept things clear. She backed the bowlers and they backed her plans. We saw her energy in the celebrations too. She kept thanking the bowlers, even for helping with DRS calls. I think there is more calmness, clarity, and comfort now in how she uses her different bowlers,” she added.

Former India player Veda Krishnamurthy said Capitals’ win was vital for their momentum and highlighted the unpredictable nature of the TATA WPL points table. “This was a very important victory for Delhi Capitals against RCB, because their next game is against Gujarat Giants. These two points give them an edge going into that match. Without this win, things could have been very different for Jemimah Rodrigues and team. I really like that there is so much uncertainty in the points table. It keeps everyone on edge. We don’t know what will happen or who will qualify. That always keeps the tournament alive,” she said.

I am waiting for Nandani to make India debut: Veda

Nandani Sharma has a slingy action and her back-of-the-hand slower one is executed better than many other bowlers

Speaking about RCB skipper Smriti Madhana’s dismissal by Minnu Mani, which shifted the momentum toward Delhi Capitals, Veda said: “Yet another off spinner got the better of Smriti Mandhana, but in a very unusual way. Her wicket shifted the momentum towards Delhi Capitals because Smriti was holding things together for RCB until she got out. She wasn’t scoring as quickly as you’d want, but she was looking good. You know she can take the game away and score big runs. Delhi Capitals will be very happy they made the change and brought in Minnu Mani, who bowled beautifully to take those two wickets in the middle overs.”

Young Nandani Sharma has become the talk of the tournament. The fast bowler has had her rivals in all kinds of trouble and is reaping a rich reward. “I really like how Nandani Sharma uses her slower balls. She has a slingy action and her back-of-the-hand slower one is executed better than many other bowlers. She is doing very well. She performed well in domestic cricket for Chandigarh and has a lot of experience around her here at Delhi Capitals. With Marizanne Kapp there, she is learning, and even after the game she was spending time with Kapp, which shows she is eager to improve. It is really good to see an uncapped pace bowler doing so well. She surely has a lot of cricket left. I am just waiting for Sharma to make her debut for India, and I cannot wait to see her take a lot of wickets,” Veda remarked.