WPL 2025: Nat Sciver-Brunt's All-Round Brilliance Propels MI to Top Spot
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Synopsis
Nat Sciver-Brunt delivered an outstanding all-round performance, securing an eight-wicket win for Mumbai Indians over UP Warriorz and taking them to the top of the 2025 Women's Premier League points table.
Key Takeaways
- Nat Sciver-Brunt achieved her best WPL bowling figures of 3-18.
- She scored an unbeaten 75 runs, leading MI's chase.
- Hayley Matthews contributed significantly with 59 runs.
- MI restricted UPW to a total of 142 runs.
- MI secured their third consecutive victory in the tournament.
Bengaluru, Feb 26 (NationPress) Nat Sciver-Brunt excelled as both a bowler and a batsman, leading Mumbai Indians to the summit of the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) points table with a decisive eight-wicket victory over UP Warriorz at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.
From the moment MI opted to bowl after winning the toss, things unfolded perfectly for them. Nat recorded her best WPL bowling figures of 3-18, helping MI restrict UPW to a modest total of 142/9. In the batting department, she scored an impressive 75 not out off 44 deliveries, hitting 13 boundaries, to lead MI's chase with three balls remaining. Hayley Matthews supported her well, contributing 59 runs off 50 balls. The pair formed a crucial 133-run partnership for the second wicket, securing MI’s third consecutive victory in the tournament.
In pursuit of 143, MI benefited from an early break when Hayley was dropped by Sophie Ecclestone at first slip off Chinelle Henry. MI lost Yastika Bhatia in the fourth over after she was caught at deep mid-wicket off Deepti Sharma without scoring.
While Hayley struggled initially against Chinelle, she eventually broke free with a six over square leg. Nat quickly got into her rhythm, hitting a series of boundaries off Saima Thakor, leading MI to a power-play score of 33/1.
As the innings progressed, Hayley and Nat found boundaries with ease, maintaining the required run rate. In her final over, Chinelle faced Nat, who struck her for three consecutive fours in the 11th over.
Nat reached her sixth WPL fifty off just 29 balls with a pull shot through mid-wicket, followed by consecutive boundaries against the spinner. Deepti’s return to the attack did little to change the course, as Nat swept and paddle-scooped for back-to-back boundaries.
Hayley pulled Grace Harris for a four and struck a six on a free hit, bringing her fifty off 45 balls. She then hit consecutive boundaries off Grace as MI scored 22 runs in the 16th over. Despite Hayley’s dismissal for 59, Harmanpreet Kaur sealed the victory with a boundary.
Earlier, UPW started strong, with Grace scoring 45 to help them reach 80/1 in nine overs. However, MI made a significant comeback by taking wickets consistently, limiting UPW to a subpar total.
In addition to Nat's impressive bowling, Shabnim Ismail and Sanskriti Gupta each took two wickets, while Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr contributed one each. MI struck early as Kiran Navgire was dismissed off Nat's bowling, but UPW’s boundaries flowed from Grace, who struck Shabnim for three fours.
Hayley's off-spin failed to contain Grace, who smashed two fours and two sixes in a single over. Vrinda Dinesh also contributed, driving Shabnim through cover before hitting Hayley over the bowler's head for more boundaries as UPW closed the power-play at 62/1.
The partnership yielded four runs each off Jintimani Kalita, and despite Grace being dropped on 44, MI restricted UPW, claiming wickets at regular intervals. Shabnim eventually caught Grace off Amelia’s bowling, ending a crucial partnership.
As the innings progressed, MI's tight bowling led to further UPW collapses. Harmanpreet took a stunning catch to dismiss Deepti, and UPW struggled to build momentum. Despite a last-ball boundary from Kranti, UP Warriorz finished at a disappointing 142/9.
Brief Scores:
UP Warriorz: 142/9 in 20 overs (Grace Harris 45, Vrinda Dinesh 33; Nat Sciver-Brunt 3-18, Sanskriti Gupta 2-11) lost to Mumbai Indians: 143/2 in 17 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 75 not out, Hayley Matthews 59; Deepti Sharma 1-25, Sophie Ecclestone 1-29) by eight wickets.
