WPL 2025: MI Triumphs Over DC by Eight Runs, Securing Second Title
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a thrilling final of the WPL 2025, the Mumbai Indians edged out the Delhi Capitals by eight runs. Harmanpreet Kaur's brilliant 66 runs led MI to a total of 149, while stellar bowling from Sciver-Brunt and Kerr restricted DC to 141. The match was witnessed by 14,700 fans at the Brabourne Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- Mumbai Indians secured their second WPL title.
- Harmanpreet Kaur was the standout player with 66 runs.
- Nat Sciver-Brunt took 3 wickets, playing a crucial role in the win.
- Delhi Capitals struggled under pressure, unable to capitalize on their start.
- MI exhibited excellent big-game temperament throughout the match.
Mumbai, March 16 (NationPress) The Delhi Capitals once again fell short in the finals of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, as the Mumbai Indians held their composure to triumph by eight runs during the championship match of the 2025 season, securing their second title in front of 14,700 spectators at the Brabourne Stadium on Saturday.
The foundation for MI's victory was laid by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who skillfully timed her shots to top-score with 66 runs, leading the team to a total of 149/7 on a fresh pitch. In their effort to defend 150 runs, Nat Sciver-Brunt claimed 3 wickets for 30 runs, including the critical dismissal of Marizanne Kapp, while Amelia Kerr took 2 for 25, effectively limiting DC to 141/9 in their 20 overs.
For DC, apart from Marizanne’s 40, Jemimah’s 30, and Niki Prasad’s unbeaten 25, the rest of the team struggled to perform under pressure, unable to handle MI’s bowlers who excelled at crucial moments, thereby solidifying MI's status as the most successful franchise in WPL history.
Marizanne showcased her skills with the new ball, applying pressure as DC took an initial lead. However, Harmanpreet responded impressively, hitting nine fours and two sixes in her 66 off 44 balls, blending timing with power to navigate through the gaps after assessing the pitch conditions.
She partnered with Nat in a counter-attack, forming an 89-run partnership for the third wicket, where Nat contributed 30 runs off 28 balls. Electing to bowl first, DC maintained pressure from both sides, thanks to remarkable bowling from Marizanne and Shikha Pandey. They were rewarded when Marizanne delivered a wobble-seam delivery to bowl out Hayley Matthews for three runs.
Yastika Bhatia opened MI’s account with a drive off Marizanne but was dismissed for eight after a brilliant catch by Jemimah Rodrigues, resulting in MI ending the power-play at 20/2, their second-lowest total during this phase in WPL history.
Despite DC's accurate bowling, MI struggled to find gaps as fielders efficiently cut angles and saved runs. However, Nat shifted the momentum in the ninth over, hitting two boundaries against N Shree Charani.
Harmanpreet increased the pace, smashing Annabel Sutherland for six and following up with consecutive boundaries against Jess Jonassen in a 13-run 11th over. She celebrated reaching her fifty in just 32 balls with two more boundaries off Minnu Mani.
The pair added one boundary each before Nat fell to Charani in the 15th over for 30 runs. From there, DC triggered a collapse in MI's batting, with Jess dismissing Amelia Kerr and Sajeevan Sajana in quick succession, while Harmanpreet was caught in the deep off Annabel Sutherland, and G. Kamalini was stumped by N. Shree Charani.
Despite some late boundaries from Amanjot Kaur and Sanskriti Gupta, MI fell just short of the 150 mark. Chasing 150, DC lost both openers, Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma, within the first three overs. Meg was bowled by a stunning off-cutter from Nat for 13, while Shafali was lbw for four, marking the first time both were dismissed for under 15 runs in the same WPL innings.
Jess managed to hit some crucial boundaries, but soon after the power-play ended, DC's innings began to falter. Jess misjudged a slog off Amelia's googly, leading to a catch by Yastika, who later stumped Annabel off Saika Ishaque’s delivery.
Jemimah fought valiantly, hitting three boundaries off Amelia, but the all-rounder eventually claimed victory by catching Jemimah off a leading edge. Although Marizanne managed a couple of boundaries, a miscommunication led to Sarah Bryce's run-out for five runs.
With 52 runs required from the last five overs, Marizanne lofted Saika for a four, then benefited from a dropped catch that turned into a six. She then drilled a drive down the ground, but Shabnim was unable to prevent it from crossing the boundary for a four, resulting in 17 runs from the 16th over. After six runs came off Shabnim in the 17th over, DC's hopes faded when Marizanne was caught at long-off against Nat, followed by Shikha’s dismissal on the next ball.
Hayley had Minnu slicing towards backward point, and despite Niki remaining not out, DC faced heartbreak once again as MI displayed their renowned big-game temperament, relishing the joy of a championship win at home.
Brief scores:
Mumbai Indians 149/7 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 66, Nat Sciver-Brunt 30; Marizanne Kapp 2-11, Jess Jonassen 2-26) defeated Delhi Capitals 141/9 in 20 overs (Marizanne Kapp 40, Jemimah Rodrigues 30; Nat Sciver-Brunt 3-30, Amelia Kerr 2-25) by eight runs
