WPL 2025: DC coach Batty asserts no mental block exists
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Synopsis
In the aftermath of the WPL 2025 final, DC coach Jonathan Batty defended his team, denying claims of a mental block despite their third consecutive runners-up finish after losing to Mumbai Indians by eight runs at Brabourne Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- DC finished as runners-up for the third time in WPL.
- Batty praised the team's positivity and confidence.
- Batty denies any mental block affecting the team's performance.
- Strong performances from MI secured their victory.
- Analyzing the loss will take time for the coaching staff.
Mumbai, March 16 (NationPress) For the third consecutive time, the Delhi Capitals ended up as runners-up in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) after narrowly losing by eight runs to the Mumbai Indians in the 2025 final held at the Brabourne Stadium.
Head coach Jonathan Batty defended his squad following yet another disappointment in a championship match, dismissing suggestions of a mental block within the Meg Lanning-led team.
"The players have shown remarkable positivity; I cannot criticize them. There has been no negativity like 'We've failed in the last two finals, and we’ll carry that baggage into this one.' They were incredibly positive and confident. The team trained excellently.
"I don't believe there is a mental block at all. Look at our performance with both ball and fielding in the first half, keeping them to 149 on that pitch. Given what transpired throughout the week, with the eliminator and other matches, we expected probably 180 to be the par score, which made us quite pleased.
"The players were ready for it and there was no mental block whatsoever. However, full credit goes to the opposition; they played better than us and earned their victory. When chasing 150, you anticipate the batting lineup to execute positive, aggressive cricket, and statistically, you should win that game comfortably—180 was the expected par score on that pitch. Hats off to the Mumbai Indians; they maintained their run rate throughout the game," Batty remarked.
During the final, the experienced pairing of Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, and young left-arm spinner N Shree Charani each took two wickets, limiting MI to 149/7 in 20 overs, despite Harmanpreet Kaur scoring 66 runs.
In their quest for 150 runs, apart from Marizanne’s 40 runs, Jemimah Rodrigues’ 30, and Niki Prasad’s 25 not out, none of the other DC batters rose to the challenge, ending up at 141/9 in their allotted overs.
Batty acknowledged that it would take time to analyze where they faltered, though he admitted that the significance of the final could have impacted the players' mental state. "It will take time to reflect on what went wrong. Two high-quality teams clashed, and it was an incredibly close contest. In big match finals, perhaps the occasion weighed on the players' minds."
