Nidhi Mahto's five helps Central Delhi Queens beat East Delhi Riders in Women's DPL

Nidhi Mahto, a 16-year-old leg-spin bowling all-rounder, picked 5/20 to help Central Delhi Queens thrash East Delhi Riders in the Women’s Delhi Premier League match at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground on Monday afternoon.

Nidhi, a product of Shravan Kumar’s Rohtak Road Gymkhana, ran through the East Delhi Riders middle-order to skittle them out for 88 in 16.4 overs.

Central Delhi women batters broke no sweat chasing the total, reaching it in 15 overs for the loss of three wickets with opener Deeksha Sharma top-scoring with 45 off 40 balls (6x4s, 1x6).

Nidhi, who was part of South Delhi Superstarz last season but did not get to bowl, was nervous when she was first handed over the ball.

“I was bowling in DPL for the first time. I gained confidence after taking the first wicket -- the pressure was released.”

Nidhi saw her brother playing cricket and got inspired after seeing him.

“I was eight years old when dad asked me to start playing cricket. I did not immediately get hooked to it. But after a year I developed interest. I used to be only a bowler. But I have become a batsman now,” said Nidhi after the match.

Nidhi was told by her team coaches that she would be bowling in the powerplay stage.

“I had been practicing with the new ball for one month.

“Coach told to keep bowling at one spot. She said the batsman will make mistake. They got under pressure right at the start. We knew we would get them after building pressure on them.”

East Delhi Riders had a stable 21-run start for the first wicket but then lost track and were 50/6 after eight overs when captain Priya Punia was run out.

Brief Scores

East Delhi Riders 88 all out in 16.4 overs (Nidhi Mahto 5/20, Priya Mishra 1/14, Avleen Kaur 1/20) lost to Central Delhi Queens 91/3 in 15 overs (Deeksha Sharma 45, Nishika Singh 22; Vanshika Lila 2/18)

Tags : Nidhi Mahto, DPL 2025, Delhi Premier League, Cricket, Deeksha Sharma, Priya Punia