“With RCB Ahead, There Are Some Tough Challenges For Mumbai Indians” – Mithali Raj On MI Vs RCB

Captain Jemimah Rodrigues led the Delhi Capitals to a seven-wicket victory over the Mumbai Indians in the TATA WPL 2026. Speaking on JioHotstar's 'Match Centre Live', JioStar expert Mithali Raj lauded

Delhi Capitals win, highlighting Jemimah Rodrigues composed, match-winning knock under pressure and assessing tough road ahead for Mumbai Indians against an in-form RCB.

Mithali Raj commented on Delhi Capitals win:

“I think this win will do a great deal for Delhi Capitals, especially Jemimah Rodrigues, the batter. As we discussed in the pre-show, it was so important for her to get those runs from her bat, and she stood tall despite losing partners at the other end. She stitched vital partnerships with Laura Wolvaardt and then with Marizanne Kapp. It was really good to see her play her natural game on a wicket like this. I did mention earlier that this was a surface where I felt Jemimah Rodrigues would score runs, and she did exactly that. She took her time when she came in, played her usual drives, and then cut loose with the cuts, scoop shots, and reverse sweeps. She didn’t get the first reverse sweep right, but the second one went for a boundary, which was absolutely crucial in terms of the run-ball equation. She targeted the shorter boundary well and was aware of the field placements the bowlers were setting. She handled a lot of pressure and, importantly, stayed there to take the team across the line.”

On the partnership between Lizelle Lee and Jemimah Rodrigues:

“I was quite impressed with both batters. This is not an ideal wicket where you can come in and immediately play big shots, but they still managed to find the boundaries. Mumbai Indians’ bowlers were a bit guilty, as the first over from almost every bowler was down the leg side, and the batters made full use of those loose deliveries. Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma capitalized well during the Powerplay, to the extent that it never felt like they really had to run hard for singles. In the last few games, this is the kind of start Delhi Capitals have been looking for in the Powerplay, and it played a major role in giving them the win.”

On the upcoming match of Mumbai Indians against RCB on Jan 26th:

“RCB have found the right form from the very first game of the tournament and have won five matches on the trot. Mumbai Indians still have to play RCB, a team they have already lost to, so there are some tough challenges ahead for them.”