Lizelle Lee's blistering fifty powers Delhi Capitals to register 1st win of WPL 2026 vs UPW

Lizelle Lee scored 67(44) vs UPW [Source: imArshit/X.com]

UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals collided on January 14 at the DY Patil Stadium in match 7 of the WPL 2026 season, as both teams looked to win their first points after consecutive losses in the first two games each. Due to the local elections, the match was being played behind closed doors, but the entertainment remained on point throughout the battle.

As Meg Lanning took on her former team, led by Jemimah Rodrigues for the first time in the league after sustained success with them, here's how the match unfolded.

Lanning and Deol partnership goes in vain

After being asked to bat first in Navi Mumbai, UP Warriorz lost an early wicket of Kiran Navgire for a three-ball duck, before captain Meg Lanning took the responsibility to bat alongside Phoebe Litchfield and add 47(35) for the second wicket. Following Litchfield's wicket on 27(20), Indian star batter Harleen Deol combined with the skipper for an 85 off 56 partnership.

Ahead of Lanning's dismissal, she managed to score another WPL fifty, getting 54(38) with nine fours and a six to her name. On the other hand, Harleen looked decent for her 47(36) before she was forced to retire out to eye a strong finish to the innings. However, things went south post the drama, and the Warriorz only added 13 runs in the last 3 overs and finished at 154/8.

For DC, Shafali was the pick of the bowlers, picking 2/16 (4), while Marizanne Kapp got 2/24 (4).

Lizelle Lee's carnage builds foundation for DC's first points of WPL 4

The in-form South African batter, who scored 86 (54) in their previous game, started the chase with another explosive knock and added 94 (69) for the first wicket alongside Shafali. Going all guns blazing from one end, she scored her fifty in 31 balls and continued her onslaught well after the powerplay, where they got 46 runs.

On the other end, Shafali played the second fiddle in the partnership and got 36 (32) with six fours before being dismissed by Asha Shobhana while attempting a reverse-sweep in the 12th over. Soon after Shafali's wicket, Lee followed her partner to the dugout after scoring 67(44), with 8 sixes and three fours, as Deepti Sharma looked to pull UPW back in the game.

Jemimah-Wolvaardt provide finishing touches

Following the wickets of both openers, South African skipper Wolvaardt and DC captain Jemimah added some crucial runs with their 34(25) partnership for the third wicket. The Indian batter scored a quick-fire 21(14), with some exquisite boundaries, while the Proteas star scored a calm and composed 25*(24) with the help of two fours and one six.

Following Jemimah's wicket, as things got close and the match went to the final ball, Kapp also got a boundary in the final over and DC won by 7 wickets.

Courtesy of a well-rounded team performance, the three-time champions opened their points tally in this season; however, stay at number 4 on the table. Shobhana and Deepti picked a wicket each for the Warriors.