NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians (MI) triumphed in a gripping Womenโs Premier League 2025 final, defeating Delhi Capitals (DC) by a narrow margin of 8 runs at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. MI etched their name in history as the first team to win the WPL title twice.
Batting first, MI faced early setbacks, losing openers Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews cheaply. However, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the innings with a resilient 66, supported by Nat Sciver-Bruntโs crucial 30. Their partnership steadied the ship, pushing MI to a defendable total of 149/7 in 20 overs. DCโs bowlers, led by Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen, kept the pressure on, claiming key wickets at regular intervals.
In response, DCโs chase faltered early as openers Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma were dismissed cheaply. Jemimah Rodrigues and Marizanne Kapp attempted to rebuild, but MIโs bowlers, particularly Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews, proved too formidable. Kerrโs spell of 2/25, including the crucial wickets of Jonassen and Rodrigues, stifled DCโs momentum. Despite a late surge by Kapp and Niki Prasad, DC fell short, managing only 141/9 in their 20 overs.
This victory marked MIโs second WPL title, following their inaugural win in 2023. Harmanpreet Kaurโs leadership and Amelia Kerrโs all-round brilliance were pivotal in their success. Kerr, who also claimed the Purple Cap for most wickets in the tournament, showcased her dominance with both bat and ball throughout the season.
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Post-Match Reactions:
Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her delight at the teamโs triumph, emphasizing the collective effort that led to their success. โIt was a great team effort. Everyone contributed whenever required, and we kept things simple. This win means a lot to us,โ she said during the post-match presentation. Kaur also highlighted the importance of her partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt, which laid the foundation for MIโs total.
Amelia Kerr, reflecting on her performance, said, โBeing an all-rounder is the best way to play cricket. Itโs a lot more fun as a player, and Iโm just happy we got the winโ. Her consistent performances throughout the tournament have cemented her reputation as one of the finest players in womenโs cricket.
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Additional Highlights:
Nat Sciver-Brunt finished as the tournamentโs leading run-scorer with 493 runs at an average of 70.42.
Hayley Matthews emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps, closely followed by Amelia Kerr with 16.
Delhi Capitalsโ Shafali Verma impressed with 300 runs in the tournament, but her early dismissal in the final proved costly.
For DC, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, marking their third consecutive defeat in a WPL final. Despite topping the points table in the league stage, their inability to perform under pressure in the finals remains a concern. Skipper Meg Lanning acknowledged the teamโs struggles, stating, โWe needed one partnership to get across the line. Itโs frustrating, but thatโs cricketโ.
The WPL 2025 final not only highlighted the growing competitiveness of womenโs cricket but also underscored the importance of team effort and resilience. MIโs triumph is a testament to their depth and determination, setting a benchmark for future seasons.
