Mumbai Indians clinched their second consecutive Women's Premier League (WPL) title with a thrilling eight-run victory over Delhi Capitals on March 15, 2025, at the Brabourne Stadium. The match, which marked another gripping final between these two franchises, saw the Mumbai side basking yet again in the glory of their championship success.
The match began with Mumbai Indians batting first after winning the toss. They struggled early on against the incisive bowling of Marizanne Kapp, who took 2 wickets for just 11 runs. Despite the rocky start, MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur stepped up, scoring 66 runs from 44 balls, which included nine boundaries and two sixes, guiding her side to a respectable total of 149 for 7.
Harmanpreet's resilience at the crease established a pivotal partnership of 89 runs with Nat Sciver-Brunt, who contributed 30 runs off 28 balls before being dismissed. Their efforts were necessary as the Mumbai innings seemed to stall due to the excellent bowling from the Capitals, particularly Kapp and Jess Jonassen, who each took two wickets.
Delhi Capitals, chasing 150 for victory, had their captain Meg Lanning dismissed early for 13 runs, bowled by Sciver-Brunt. Shafali Verma followed shortly after, falling to Shabnim Ismail, leaving the Capitals teetering at 17 for 2. Yet, Jemimah Rodrigues fought back, demonstrating resilience with her score of 30 runs. Nonetheless, once she fell to Kiwi spinner Amelia Kerr, the Capitals found themselves at 66 for 5.
Marizanne Kapp, showing her grit, brought Delhi closer to their target with her 40 runs off 26 balls. With the last over to play, the Capitals required 14 runs, but Sciver-Brunt, setting the tone for her magnificent day, calmly limited the opposition to just 5 runs, ensuring MI's triumph.
Not only did Sciver-Brunt shine with the ball, taking three wickets for 30 runs, but she also etched her name in WPL history as the first player to reach 1000 runs. She needed only three runs to secure the milestone during the finals, achieving it with aplomb.
Sciver-Brunt's performance throughout the tournament has been nothing short of stellar. Her season culminated with her being named Player of the Tournament, having amassed 523 runs across ten matches at a staggering average of 65.37 and also taking 12 wickets.
Speaking after the match, Sciver-Brunt expressed her joy, stating, "It has been a great year for me in the WPL. I am so happy to be standing here as a winner." Reflecting on her team's unity, she added, "We have a great amount of all-rounders who can stand up at any time. It is so special to be part of a franchise which has become family."
MI's captain Harmanpreet echoed similar sentiments: "It was a great team effort. I would like to congratulate the Delhi team, it was not easy for us. At the end of the day, you feel happy, really happy with the way we played. We fought until the last ball." Harmanpreet's strategic leadership and formidable batting performance have been pivotal for MI, steering them to two WPL titles now, with their first being acquired during the inaugural season.
Conversely, Capitals' skipper Lanning registered disappointment over her team's inability to secure the title. "We are bitterly disappointed… full credit to Mumbai - they have been excellent throughout and thoroughly deserved their win," she lamented. The Capitals have now been runners-up three times, highlighting their consistent yet frustrating pursuit for their first title.
The match also had historical significance for Sciver-Brunt, as she became the first player to surpass 500 runs in one WPL season during this tournament, having achieved this milestone earlier than expected. She had already set the precedent by crossing the 400-run mark earlier this season. This combination of exploits has firmly placed her as one of the league's most influential players this year.
Throughout the 2025 WPL, the competition has been intense, with teams pushing their limits and displaying exceptional talent. MI's victory not only reinforces their stature within the league but also showcases the growing interest and investment surrounding women's cricket. The Mumbai franchise has now established itself as one of WPL's most dominant teams, undoubtedly making them formidable opponents for the years to come.
With the accolades collected this season and intriguing matches on the horizon, the triumph of Mumbai Indians stands as both an exhilarating conclusion to the WPL 2025 season and as the beginning of what promises to be exciting developments for women's cricket.