WPL 3rd Match: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals on January 10 – The Final Rematch Begins

The WPL 2026 3rd match isn’t just another cricket game—it’s the replay of the 2025 WPL final. On January 10, 2026 (Evening), Harmanpreet Kaur’s defending champion Mumbai Indians will face Jemimah Rodrigues-led Delhi Capitals at the iconic DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. This is more than just a league match; it’s a rematch of cricket’s most thrilling women’s final from 2025, where MI won by a narrow margin against Delhi, who have now reached the finals three consecutive times without lifting the trophy.​

For Delhi Capitals, this 3rd match represents a critical opportunity to prove they can beat Mumbai right from the league stage, avoiding another heartbreaking final. For Mumbai Indians, it’s about establishing dominance early and showing that their 2025 championship wasn’t a one-time wonder. With star players like Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, and new signing Laura Wolvaardt in prime form after the World Cup, this match carries enormous significance for both franchises.

Understanding the Significance of This Match

The WPL 3rd match holds special meaning for multiple reasons:

Why This Match Matters:

• Final Rematch: This is the replay of the 2025 WPL final where MI defeated DC in a closely contested match
• Tournament Significance: With only 22 league matches before playoffs, every victory is crucial for securing top-4 position
• Double-Header Evening Slot: This is the evening match of WPL’s first double-header day, making it prime-time cricket
• Three-Time Finalists vs Two-Time Champions: Delhi’s quest for their first title faces the defending champions
• Fresh Teams: Both franchises have made significant squad changes, making this a fresh contest with new dynamics​

Tournament Context:

The WPL 2026 runs for 28 days across two venues. The first 11 matches at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai set the foundation, while the remaining matches move to Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium. For teams, winning at home (first venue) is crucial before travelling to Vadodara. This third match determines early momentum in the tournament.

Match Details: Complete Information

WPL 2026 – Match 3

Detail	Information
Teams	Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals
Date	Friday, January 10, 2026
Time	7:00 PM IST (Evening Match)
Venue	DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
Format	T20 (20 overs per side)
Toss	6:30 PM IST
Double-Header Context	2nd match of the day (UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants in afternoon)

Venue Advantage Breakdown:

The DY Patil Stadium is where India defeated South Africa to win the ODI World Cup in November 2025. For this evening match on January 10, conditions will be ideal:

• Pitch Behavior: Fresh pitch (after UP vs GG morning match) with good pace and bounce
• Weather Conditions: Evening temperature around 28°C with minimal humidity (January in Mumbai)
• Lighting: Excellent floodlights ensuring clear visibility throughout
• Historical Data: DY Patil typically favors teams with explosive batting in powerplay and death bowling expertise​

Mumbai Indians: The Defending Champions

Team Philosophy for WPL 2026:

Mumbai Indians, under captain Harmanpreet Kaur, are pursuing back-to-back titles—a feat never achieved in WPL history. They’ve made strategic retentions and calculated new signings, showing confidence in their winning formula.​

Squad Overview & Key Retentions

Retained Core (5 Players):

• Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain) – World Cup-winning captain and rock-solid batter
• Nat Sciver-Brunt – English explosive batter with international experience
• Hayley Matthews – West Indian all-rounder, exceptional death bowler
• Amanjot Kaur – Rising Indian batter, crucial middle-order stabilizer
• G Kamalini – Young 17-year-old wicket-keeper with immense potential​

Major New Signings:

• Amelia Kerr (3.00 crore) – New Zealand’s dynamic all-rounder, highest-priced overseas acquisition
• Shabnim Ismail – South African pace bowler with world-class credentials
• Sanskriti Gupta – Indian bowler with excellent variations
• Sajeevan Sajana – Explosive Indian batter​

Probable Playing XI for MI:

Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, G Kamalini (WK), Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque, Pooja Vastrakar​

MI’s Championship DNA:

What makes the Mumbai Indians special is their consistent execution under pressure. They’ve won two WPL titles in three seasons, and their death-over bowling (led by Hayley Matthews) is arguably the most disciplined in the tournament.

Delhi Capitals: The Three-Time Finalists

Team Philosophy for WPL 2026:

Delhi Capitals, captained by Jemimah Rodrigues, are on a mission to finally break their finals curse. After reaching the finals three times without winning, the franchise have made bold changes while retaining their proven core.​

Squad Overview & Key Retentions

Retained Core (5 Players):

• Jemimah Rodrigues (Captain) – Indian World Cup winner, captain with big match experience
• Shafali Verma – Indian World Cup winner, explosive young talent
• Annabel Sutherland – Australian all-rounder, world-class fielder and bowler
• Marizanne Kapp – South African all-rounder, match-winner with experience
• Niki Prasad – Young uncapped Indian talent with promise​

Major New Signings:

• Laura Wolvaardt (1.10 crore) – South African captain, world-class batter and leader
• Chinelle Henry (1.30 crore) – West Indian explosive batter
• Shree Charani (1.30 crore) – Indian spin sensation, young bowler with immense potential
• Sneh Rana (50 lakh) – Indian all-rounder with excellent variations
• Lizelle Lee – South African wicket-keeper​

Probable Playing XI for DC:

Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues (C), Annabel Sutherland, Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Marizanne Kapp, Sneh Rana, Lizelle Lee (WK), Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Minnu Mani​

DC’s Quest for Glory:

Delhi’s bold signings of Laura Wolvaardt and Chinelle Henry signal a clear intent to win immediately. The addition of Shree Charani, a young spin sensation, provides match-winning bowling options in the middle overs. After three finals losses, DC has strengthened their batting depth significantly.

Head-to-Head Record: The Riveting Rivalry

Overall WPL Record (All Seasons):

Statistic	Delhi Capitals	Mumbai Indians
Total Matches	7	7
Wins	4	3
Wins (Batting First)	2	2
Wins (Chasing)	2	1
Highest Total	192/4	207/5
Lowest Total	123/9	109/10
Most Runs (Player)	Meg Lanning (300)	Nat Sciver-Brunt (493)
Highest Individual Score	Shafali Verma (84*)	Harmanpreet Kaur (95)

What This Tells Us: Delhi Capitals dominate the league stage record with 4 wins, but Mumbai Indians have won the crucial knockout match (2025 Final). This encounter shows that Delhi performs well in league matches but buckles under playoff pressure.​

Key Statistics:

• League Stage Win Rate (DC): 57% (4 out of 7)
• Playoff Win Rate (MI): 100% (won the 2025 final)
• Average Runs (DC): 152.3 per match
• Average Runs (MI): 157.8 per match

Last Meeting (WPL 2025 Final): Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals in the final, with Harmanpreet Kaur playing a crucial role. This victory sent Delhi to their third consecutive final without a trophy.

Key Players to Watch

Shafali Verma (Delhi Capitals – The Young Sensation)

Shafali Verma is one of India’s most exciting young batters and a crucial player in DC’s plans for 2026. Her credentials are impressive:

• World Cup Winner: Part of India’s triumphant 2025 World Cup squad with match-winning performances
• T20I Record: Over 600 runs in T20I cricket with an excellent strike rate
• Head-to-Head: Has scored 300+ runs against MI in WPL but has failed to deliver in the finals
• Key Metric: Highest score against MI is 84*, showing she has the skill to dominate

Why She’s Crucial for DC in the 3rd Match: If Shafali can get a good start (20-30 runs from 15-20 balls), it will provide confidence to the rest of the DC batting order. Against MI’s strong bowling, Shafali’s aggressive approach in the powerplay can set the tone.​

Harmanpreet Kaur (Mumbai Indians – The Champion Captain)

Harmanpreet Kaur, the World Cup-winning captain, brings unmatched international experience and a proven track record of performing in crunch moments:

• Championship Record: Led MI to two WPL titles and India to the World Cup trophy
• Head-to-Head Stats: Scored 95 runs (highest individual score) against DC in WPL
• Pressure Performance: Has a 100% record in crucial knockout matches in recent years
• Captaincy Impact: Her calm demeanor under pressure is a mental edge MI holds over DC

Why She’s Crucial for MI: In a final rematch situation, Harmanpreet’s presence in the middle order is essential for MI’s stability. If she can score 30-35 runs and guide the innings through critical phases, MI will be in a winning position.​

Laura Wolvaardt (Delhi Capitals – New Leadership)

Laura Wolvaardt, the newly signed South African captain, brings world-class batting credentials and leadership experience:

• International Stature: South African women’s cricket captain with multiple centuries in T20I cricket
• Form: Excellent performances in recent international tournaments
• Pressure Temperament: Experienced in handling high-pressure situations globally
• New Factor: Her signing signals DC’s intent to win immediately in 2026

Why She Matters: Wolvaardt can be the game-changer for DC against MI. Her combination of technique and experience means she can score on any pitch and against any bowler. If she scores 40+, DC will be in a strong position.​

Nat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians – The Explosive Force)

Nat Sciver-Brunt, the English all-rounder and MI’s retained star, is one of the most explosive batters in women’s T20 cricket:

• Highest Run-Scorer Against DC: 493 runs (most runs by any player in this rivalry)
• Strike Rate: Consistently above 140 in T20 cricket
• Record: Has played crucial innings against DC multiple times
• Death-Overs Bowling: Can also bowl important overs under pressure

Why She’s Crucial: When Sciver-Brunt gets going, stopping her becomes nearly impossible. Against DC’s bowling, if she can play a 25-30 run cameo in the middle overs, it could prove decisive in MI’s favour.

Match Prediction: Who Will Win the WPL 3rd Match?

Expert Analysis & Detailed Verdict

Pre-Match Assessment:

This is a genuinely evenly matched contest with compelling narratives on both sides. However, when you analyse recent form, head-to-head psychology, and squad composition, here’s the detailed breakdown:

Factors Favouring Mumbai Indians:

• Championship Experience: Won 2025 WPL final against DC—clear psychological advantage
• Bowling Strength: Hayley Matthews and Shabnim Ismail form a devastating pace pair
• Batting Depth: Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur, Amelia Kerr provide consistent run-scoring
• Pressure Record: MI has 100% success rate in knockout situations against DC
• Defending Champions’ Mindset: Teams defending titles typically start strong​

Factors Favouring Delhi Capitals:

• League Stage Dominance: 4 wins from 7 matches (57% win rate) against MI
• Fresh Squad Strength: Addition of Laura Wolvaardt and Chinelle Henry significantly strengthens batting
• World Cup Momentum: Multiple players (Shafali, Jemimah, Annabel) come from World Cup-winning euphoria
• Spin Bowling: Shree Charani provides new bowling dimension that MI hasn’t faced in WPL before
• Hunger Factor: After three finals losses, DC is more motivated than ever to prove themselves​

Final Prediction

Mumbai Indians to win by 14 runs (MI bat first and score 171/6; Delhi falls short around 157/8)

Detailed Match Breakdown:

Expected MI Score: 171/6 (First Innings)

• Nat Sciver-Brunt: 38-42 runs (Attack role)
• Harmanpreet Kaur: 32-36 runs (Anchor role)
• Amelia Kerr: 20-25 runs (Middle-order acceleration)
• Amanjot Kaur: 18-22 runs (Supporting role)
• Key Moment: Strong finish with 18-20 runs in final 2 overs

Expected DC Score: 157/8 (Second Innings)

• Shafali Verma: 35-40 runs (Aggressive start)
• Laura Wolvaardt: 28-32 runs (Trying to accelerate chase)
• Jemimah Rodrigues: 20-25 runs (Captain’s contribution)
• Result: Fall short by 14 runs in the final overs

Player of the Match: Hayley Matthews (MI) – 2/28 in 4 overs, with crucial batting contribution of 12-15 runs

Key Moments:

• Powerplay: MI establishes 50-55 runs in first 6 overs with solid batting
• Middle Overs: DC’s Shree Charani provides a breakthrough, but MI still advances scoring rate
• Death Overs: Hayley Matthews’ exceptional bowling restricts DC’s acceleration phase (overs 16-20)
• Final Chase: DC gets close but falls short in final 2 overs due to aggressive MI bowling

Confidence Level: 64% for Mumbai Indians (meaning 36% for Delhi Capitals to upset)

Why MI Wins: While DC has a stronger league stage record, MI’s proven ability to perform in high-pressure finals and their exceptional death-over bowling will be the deciding factors. Delhi has all the ingredients but hasn’t converted league stage dominance into knockout victories.

What Makes This Match Special

This WPL 3rd match is special for several reasons:

1. Final Rematch: Replay of the 2025 WPL final where MI won against DC—both teams want redemption or confirmation
2. Double-Header Evening Slot: This is prime-time cricket in the WPL’s first double-header day
3. Three-Time Finals Curse: DC is desperate to prove this is the year they finally win
4. Fresh Squad Dynamics: Both teams have made significant signings, making this a completely fresh contest
5. Early Tournament Momentum: The winner will carry massive psychological advantage into their next matches

Research & Sources

This match analysis is based on:

• The official WPL 2026 match schedule and venue details released by BCCI on November 28, 2025
• Historical head-to-head data compiled from WPL 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons
• Squad information and auction records from the WPL 2026 mega auction (November 27, 2025)
• Player performance statistics from international cricket databases and WPL official records
• Expert analysis from cricket analysts on team compositions and tournament dynamics
• Researched by team lotus365 on different platforms (Reddy Anna Club, Raja Game, Tiranga App, Taj 777)

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Final Takeaway

The WPL 2026 3rd match on January 10 (evening) between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals is the replay of the 2025 final—and it carries all the drama, intensity, and significance that makes it essential viewing. On one side, defending champions MI want to prove they’re still the team to beat. On the other, Delhi Capitals are desperate to finally break their three-time finals curse and win their maiden WPL trophy.