Mumbai Indians (MI) emerged victorious in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, securing their second title in three seasons by defending a total of 149 for 7. They handed Delhi Capitals (DC) their third consecutive runners-up finish, winning by eight runs in a closely contested final.
Harmanpreet and Sciver-Brunt Anchor Mumbai’s Innings
MI’s innings began on a shaky note after losing two early wickets, with the team reduced to 14 for 2. However, Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt steadied the innings with an 89-run partnership for the third wicket. Sciver-Brunt, who became the first player to reach 1,000 WPL runs, played a crucial supporting role, while Harmanpreet led from the front with a fluent 66 off 36 balls.
Harmanpreet’s innings was a masterclass in stroke play, accelerating MI’s scoring rate after a slow start. She took on Jess Jonassen in the 11th over, hitting three consecutive boundaries, and later played one of the shots of the match—a wristy whip off Minnu Mani through square leg. Her efforts ensured MI reached a competitive total of 149 for 7, despite DC picking up five wickets for 45 runs in the last five overs.
DC’s Chase: A Rocky Start and Kapp’s Fightback
Delhi Capitals’ chase got off to a disastrous start as Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma, and Jess Jonassen fell cheaply, leaving them reeling at 44 for 4. Jemimah Rodrigues showed some resistance, but her dismissal further dented DC’s hopes.
Just when MI seemed in complete control, Marizanne Kapp launched a counterattack. She played a fearless knock of 40 off 26 balls, striking boundaries at will and reducing the required equation to 35 off 24 balls. Batting alongside Niki Prasad, who contributed a crucial 14, Kapp kept DC’s hopes alive. The crowd at Brabourne Stadium roared with every Kapp boundary, sensing a dramatic comeback.
Sciver-Brunt Holds Nerve in the Final Moments
With 14 runs needed off the last over, DC seemed within reach of victory. However, Sciver-Brunt once again proved her mettle by removing Kapp, who flat-batted a delivery straight to Hayley Matthews at long-off. That crucial wicket shifted the momentum back in MI’s favor, and DC fell just eight runs short, finishing at 141 for 9.
Key Bowling Performances and Tactical Decisions
Mumbai’s bowling was spot on from the beginning. Sciver-Brunt (3-30) set the tone by dismissing Lanning, while Shabnim Ismail, Amelia Kerr, and Saika Ishaque chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. The early dismissals of Verma and Jonassen left DC in deep trouble, making Kapp’s heroics even more significant.
On the other hand, Delhi’s bowlers had done well earlier to restrict MI. Kapp (2-11) and Shikha Pandey used the new ball effectively, dismissing Matthews and Yastika Bhatia early. Later, N Shree Charani and Annabel Sutherland played key roles in MI’s collapse, but the late acceleration from MI proved to be the difference.
A Historic Win for Mumbai Indians
With this victory, MI reinforced their dominance in the WPL, successfully defending a target of 150 or less—something that had only happened four times in the league’s history. Unfortunately for DC, three of those instances saw them on the losing side.
Despite a valiant effort from Kapp and Prasad, Delhi Capitals once again finished second-best, while Mumbai Indians celebrated yet another WPL triumph, cementing their reputation as one of the league’s strongest teams.
