First Points on the Line as Delhi Capitals Face UP Warriorz in Northern Derby

In the Northern Derby today, it will be the Delhi Capitals taking on UP Warriorz at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, albeit behind closed doors due to municipal elections in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Three-time finalists Delhi Capitals and last season’s wooden spoon holders UP Warriorz have both endured a disappointing start to their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 campaign, suffering two heartbreaking defeats apiece. Yet, as they step onto the field today, one certainty remains: by the end of this contest, one of these teams will finally open its account on the points table.

Adding an extra layer of intrigue to the encounter is the Meg Lanning subplot. The former Delhi Capitals captain, who led the franchise for three seasons, will now face her old side as the skipper of UP Warriorz. Taking over the leadership mantle at Delhi is Mumbai’s Jemimah Rodrigues, who has stepped into Lanning’s sizeable shoes and will be keen to make a statement against her former captain in what promises to be a fascinating personal duel within the larger team battle.

From a performance perspective, both sides have plenty to fix. Delhi Capitals have stumbled in both their matches while chasing, failing to convert promising starts into successful run-chases. UP Warriorz, on the other hand, have struggled to find rhythm irrespective of whether they have batted first or second, highlighting deeper issues in both their batting order and execution under pressure.

Despite the losses, there have been encouraging signs. For the Capitals, debutant Nandani Sharma has been the standout. Fresh from a sensational hat-trick against Gujarat Giants in the previous match, the 24-year-old from Chandigarh has impressed with her new-ball control and composure in crunch moments. Far from being a one-dimensional bowler, Nandani possesses a range of variations and a sharp cricketing mind to deploy them effectively. Additionally, the experienced South African trio of Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, and Marizanne Kapp have shown glimpses of form. Delhi will, however, be hoping for more substantial contributions from them to carry the team across the finish line.

UP Warriorz, too, have reasons for cautious optimism. Phoebe Litchfield has looked fluent at number three, showcasing her trademark ability to pierce gaps and find all parts of the ground. With Lanning still searching for a settled opening combination, the question looms: will Warriorz promote Litchfield to the top of the order? Alongside her, Deepti Sharma and Deandra Dottin have provided valuable runs lower down the order in the previous match, offering some reassurance to an otherwise misfiring batting unit.

The biggest concern for both teams, however, lies at the top. Neither captain has yet imposed herself on the tournament. In cricket, leadership and form often go hand in hand, and more often than not, a captain’s performances with bat or ball set the tone for the entire side. Both Lanning and Rodrigues will be acutely aware of the need to lead from the front.

As both teams hunt for their first points of WPL 2026, the question remains: will it be Delhi Capitals or UP Warriorz who finally get their campaign up and running? 

Head-to-Head (last 5 matches)

Delhi Capitals – 3 | UP Warriorz – 2

Match details

Date: January 14, 2026

Time: 7:30 PM

Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai

Live streaming: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar