The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 final is set to be a thrilling encounter between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on March 15. Both teams, boasting formidable line-ups, are gearing up for a high-stakes clash as they battle for supremacy.
A Familiar Final Showdown
This final brings a sense of déjà vu, as MI and DC, two of the most consistent teams in the tournament, meet again for the coveted title. While DC has had a dominant run and secured a direct spot in the final, MI has taken the hard route, playing three matches in four days to earn their place.
Delhi Capitals have excelled in multiple departments throughout the season, making sharp selection calls and executing their strategies effectively. Meg Lanning, their experienced captain, has hit form at the right time, while Shafali Verma has continued to provide explosive starts. The promotion of Jess Jonassen to No. 3 has also worked well, but their middle order remains a concern. DC’s batters at positions 4-7 have the lowest average (17.50) and second-lowest strike rate (116.66) in the tournament, something they will need to improve in the final.
Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, have a squad loaded with match-winners. While their batting has been inconsistent, players like Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, and Harmanpreet Kaur have delivered in crucial moments. MI’s bowling has been their biggest strength, especially in the Powerplay, where they have taken 61 wickets at an average of 22.68—the best in the tournament.
Key Factors: Home Advantage vs. Rested Opponents
MI will have the advantage of playing at home, where they have lost just once in seven games at Brabourne Stadium. However, DC comes into the final with a seven-day break, fully rested and without the fatigue of a high-pressure knockout run. With two previous final losses, can DC finally lift the trophy on their third attempt?
Team News: MI’s Opening Combination in Focus
One of the biggest questions for Mumbai is their opening combination. The team experimented by promoting Amelia Kerr as an opener and pushing Yastika Bhatia down the order, but this strategy didn’t yield big results. In the Eliminator against Gujarat Giants, MI reverted to their original order, but both batters failed to make an impact. Will MI tweak their batting line-up again to get the best out of Yastika?
Additionally, MI brought in left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque for the Eliminator but only gave her one over. Will they stick with her for the final or revert to Parunika Sisodia?
Probable Playing XIs
Mumbai Indians:
- Hayley Matthews
- Amelia Kerr
- Nat Sciver-Brunt
- Harmanpreet Kaur (capt)
- Amanjot Kaur
- Yastika Bhatia (wk)
- S Sajana
- G Kamalini
- Sanskriti Gupta
- Shabnim Ismail
- Saika Ishaque
Delhi Capitals: (Expected to remain unchanged)
- Meg Lanning (capt)
- Shafali Verma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Annabel Sutherland
- Marizanne Kapp
- Jess Jonassen
- Sarah Bryce (wk)
- Niki Prasad
- Minnu Mani
- Shikha Pandey
- Titas Sadhu
Players to Watch
Jemimah Rodrigues (Delhi Capitals)
Rodrigues has had a quiet season with the bat, managing just one fifty in six innings, with three single-digit scores and a duck. While she has dropped to No. 4 to accommodate Jonassen, she will be eager to make an impact in her hometown on the biggest stage. Despite her struggles with the bat, her fielding has been exceptional throughout the tournament.
Hayley Matthews (Mumbai Indians)
Matthews has been a game-changer with the ball, leading the wicket charts with 17 wickets at an average of 15.88. She has excelled in all phases of the game and played a crucial role in MI’s title win last year, with a stunning spell of 3 for 5 in the 2023 final. Coming off a strong performance in the Eliminator, she will be key for MI once again.
Key Stats to Watch
- Nat Sciver-Brunt is just three runs away from becoming the first player to score 1000 WPL runs. She also needs seven runs to set a new record for most runs in a single WPL season (500).
- Rodrigues, Jonassen, and Shikha Pandey will be playing their fifth tournament final together across franchise leagues in the last two years.
- Meg Lanning has won every major international title in her career. After winning The Hundred with London Spirit in 2024, the WPL title would leave the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) as the only franchise title missing from her collection.
The Big Question: Who Will Triumph?
With both teams stacked with talent, the final is set to be an electrifying contest. MI has the momentum and home advantage, but DC is well-rested and determined to avoid a third heartbreak. Will Lanning lead DC to their first WPL title, or will Harmanpreet and MI defend their crown at home?
All eyes will be on Brabourne Stadium on March 15, 2025, as two powerhouse teams clash for WPL glory.
