WPL 2025: Sciver-Brunt's Heroics Propel MI to 164 as Delhi Bowlers Strike Late

Vadodara, Feb 15 (NationPress) Natalie Sciver-Brunt scored an impressive unbeaten 75, while Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a dynamic 42, but the Mumbai Indians could only muster 164 all out in 19.1 overs against the Delhi Capitals in the second match of the Women's Premier League season 3 at the Kotambi Stadium on Saturday.

Despite a robust acceleration in the middle overs, the Mumbai Indians faced significant challenges as they lost wickets in quick succession, with Annabel Sutherland (3.1-0-34-1) and Shikha Pandey (3-0-21-2) spearheading the bowling effort for Delhi.

Choosing to bowl first, the Delhi Capitals made an early breakthrough as Shikha Pandey dismissed Hayley Matthews for a two-ball duck in the opening over. The delivery swung sharply, finding the edge of Matthews’ bat, and Meg Lanning executed a sharp catch at slip. Yastika Bhatia and Natalie Sciver-Brunt aimed to stabilize the innings, but the scoring remained cautious. However, the introduction of Alice Capsey in the second over proved costly, as the Mumbai batters capitalized on loose deliveries, with Yastika and Sciver-Brunt striking vital boundaries.

Shikha Pandey returned in her third over to clean up Yastika Bhatia (11 off 9), as the left-hander misplayed a big shot, resulting in her stumps being rattled. At 34/2, Mumbai found themselves in early trouble. With Harmanpreet Kaur at the crease, MI began to increase their scoring rate. Sciver-Brunt’s creativity came to the forefront as she executed a reverse sweep off Minnu Mani for a four, helping Mumbai Indians, champions of the inaugural edition of WPL in 2023, reach 41/2 by the end of the Power-play.

The partnership between Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet added 73 runs, completely shifting the momentum. The introduction of Radha Yadav turned disastrous, as the left-arm spinner was taken to task — Sciver-Brunt began with a powerful boundary, followed by Harmanpreet’s slash over point. A no-ball compounded Delhi’s woes, with Harmanpreet launching a six over extra cover on the free hit.

Harmanpreet then targeted Annabel Sutherland, hitting two boundaries before smacking a six over mid-wicket. She appeared unstoppable but fell for 42 off 22 balls, miscuing a shot towards deep backward point, where Niki Prasad took a well-judged catch. With the skipper gone, Mumbai struggled to form partnerships. Amelia Kerr (9 off 9) was run out after a ricochet off Sciver-Brunt’s shot hit Minnu Mani’s hand onto the stumps, catching Kerr off-guard.

Sajeevan Sajana followed, scoring just one run, edging behind to 'keeper Sarah Bryce off Sutherland’s bowling. Amanjot Kaur (7 off 7) showed promise, hitting a four off Capsey, but was bowled after charging down the track.

Despite the wickets falling around her, Sciver-Brunt reached a well-deserved fifty with a cover drive and continued to find the boundary, smashing a wider ball down the ground. However, she ran out of partners as wickets fell at the other end.

The final two overs saw MI collapse completely. Shafali Verma’s quick throw resulted in Jintimani Kalita being run out for just 1 off 1 ball. Moments later, Sutherland got a fingertip to a Sciver-Brunt shot, and Shikha Pandey ran out Shabnim Ismail before she could even face a ball. Sutherland concluded the innings in the 19th over, clean bowling Saika Ishaque for a duck, as MI was all out for 164 with five balls to spare.

Despite Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten 80 off 59 balls, the Delhi Capitals finished strongly, claiming six wickets for just 35 runs, ensuring Mumbai couldn't fully capitalize on their strong middle phase.

Brief scores:

Mumbai Indians 164 all out in 19.1 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 80 not out, Harmanpreet Kaur 42; Annabel Sutherland 3-34, Sikha Pandey 2-14) against Delhi Capitals