In a pulsating final showdown at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, the Mumbai Indians (MI) etched their name in history by securing their second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title with an 8-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC). The grand finale, held on Saturday night, was nothing short of a cricketing spectacle, with MI’s bowlers stepping up under pressure to defend a modest target of 150 runs and restrict DC to 141 for 9 in 20 overs.
This historic triumph reaffirmed Mumbai Indians’ dominance in women’s franchise cricket, proving their ability to hold their nerve in crucial matches.
A Stiff Challenge: Mumbai Indians’ Batting Performance
After winning the toss, Mumbai Indians opted to bat first, looking to set a competitive total on a slightly tricky surface. Their innings, however, got off to a shaky start as star opener Hayley Matthews fell cheaply for just 3 runs, dismissed by Marizanne Kapp. The early jitters continued as Yastika Bhatia departed soon after, scoring just 8 runs, leaving MI at a precarious position early in the game.
Harmanpreet Kaur Leads from the Front
With quick wickets falling, Mumbai needed a steady partnership, and Nat Sciver-Brunt (30 off 28 balls) provided just that in the middle overs. But it was captain Harmanpreet Kaur who turned the tide with a match-defining knock of 66 off 44 balls. Her innings was laced with nine boundaries and two sixes, bringing much-needed momentum to the team.
Late contributions from Amanjot Kaur (14 off 7 balls) and Sanskriti Gupta (8 off 5 balls) ensured Mumbai reached a competitive total of 149 for 7 at the end of their 20 overs.
Delhi’s Bowling Attack Puts Up a Fight
The Delhi Capitals’ bowlers kept the MI batters in check, with Marizanne Kapp leading the charge, picking up 2 wickets for just 11 runs in 4 overs. Nallapureddy Charani also bowled exceptionally, claiming 2 wickets in crucial middle overs to prevent MI from accelerating beyond 150.
Delhi Capitals’ Struggle to Chase the Target
With a target of 150 runs, Delhi Capitals’ chase needed a strong start, but Mumbai Indians’ bowlers had other plans.
- Meg Lanning, the Delhi skipper, looked confident early on but was dismissed for 13 runs by Nat Sciver-Brunt.
- Shafali Verma’s poor form continued as she was trapped LBW by Shabnim Ismail for just 4 runs.
- Jess Jonassen and Jemimah Rodrigues attempted to stabilize the innings, with Rodrigues playing a brisk 30 off 21 balls, but their efforts were not enough as wickets kept tumbling.
- Annabel Sutherland and Sarah Bryce fell cheaply, scoring 2 and 5 runs, respectively, deepening the crisis for Delhi Capitals.
Marizanne Kapp’s Lone Fight in Vain
While the top order struggled, Marizanne Kapp played a valiant knock of 40 off 26 balls, showcasing resilience under pressure. However, with no strong support from the other end, her effort was not enough to steer Delhi Capitals home.
Despite a *late fightback from Niki Prasad (25 off 23 balls)**, Delhi Capitals finished at 141 for 9, falling 8 runs short of the target.
Nat Sciver-Brunt Stars with the Ball for Mumbai Indians
Nat Sciver-Brunt, who had already made an impact with the bat, delivered a stellar performance with the ball, picking up 3 wickets for 30 runs. Her all-round brilliance made the difference in this high-stakes final. Amelia Kerr also chipped in with two crucial wickets, ensuring that Delhi never got the momentum required to chase down the target.
Key Bowling Performances for Mumbai Indians:
- Nat Sciver-Brunt: 3/30 (4 overs)
- Amelia Kerr: 2/24 (4 overs)
- Shabnim Ismail: 1/22 (4 overs)
The disciplined bowling attack, coupled with sharp fielding, kept Delhi Capitals under immense pressure throughout the innings.
Turning Points in the Match
✅ Harmanpreet Kaur’s Game-Changing Knock: Her aggressive 66 off 44 balls provided the much-needed momentum for Mumbai Indians. ✅ Early Wickets by Mumbai Bowlers: The dismissals of Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma inside the powerplay put Delhi Capitals on the back foot. ✅ Nat Sciver-Brunt’s All-Round Brilliance: Contributing 30 runs with the bat and taking 3 wickets, she was the game-changer for Mumbai. ✅ Delhi’s Middle-Order Collapse: Losing key batters like Rodrigues, Sutherland, and Bryce in quick succession left them with too much to do in the end.
This victory cements Mumbai Indians’ position as one of the most dominant teams in women’s franchise cricket. With their second WPL title, they have shown incredible depth, resilience, and tactical acumen.
Post-Match Reactions
🏏 Harmanpreet Kaur (Mumbai Indians Captain): “We knew we had to fight till the last ball. The bowlers executed the plans perfectly. Winning two WPL titles is an amazing feeling.”
🏏 Meg Lanning (Delhi Capitals Captain): “Tough loss. We had our moments, but credit to Mumbai Indians. Their bowlers were exceptional, and Harmanpreet played a brilliant knock.”
🏏 Nat Sciver-Brunt (Player of the Match): “I wanted to contribute in both batting and bowling, and I’m glad I could help the team win. This victory means a lot to us.”
The Road Ahead for WPL and Women’s Cricket
The success of the Women’s Premier League is a major boost for women’s cricket, bringing in new audiences and increasing global recognition. With thrilling contests and high-quality cricket, WPL continues to showcase the talent and potential of women cricketers worldwide.
As Mumbai Indians celebrate their historic second WPL title, the focus now shifts to the next season, where teams will aim to raise the bar even higher.
In yet another epic Women’s Premier League final, Mumbai Indians showcased their championship mentality, defending 150 runs successfully and clinching an 8-run victory over Delhi Capitals. With Harmanpreet Kaur leading from the front, Nat Sciver-Brunt’s all-round brilliance, and a disciplined bowling attack, Mumbai proved why they are the team to beat. As WPL continues to grow in stature, Mumbai Indians’ triumph in 2025 will be remembered as a landmark moment in women’s cricket history.
