Mumbai Indians secured their second Women's Premier League title on Saturday, March 15, 2025, clinching victory by eight runs over Delhi Capitals at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was the star of the final, delivering with the bat to lead her team to success once again against their rival.
Harmanpreet's scintillated innings of 66 runs off 44 balls was pivotal for Mumbai, helping them set a total of 149 for 7, which proved to be just enough against the determined Delhi side. After winning the toss, Delhi captain Meg Lanning chose to field first, which momentarily seemed to backfire as Mumbai lost their first two wickets for just 14 runs.
Yet, it was Kaur’s strategic play, alongside Nat Sciver-Brunt, who contributed significantly with 30 runs, forming a solid 89-run partnership. This collaboration brought some stability to Mumbai's innings after they were reeling from the early setbacks. Despite losing wickets unexpectedly and experiencing pressure as they fell from 103 for 2 to 118 for 6, the team's resilience saw them finish the inning strong.
Kaur's expertly executed strokes, characterized by several boundaries, excited the near-capacity crowd and showcased her leadership. The climax of her innings came just when others faltered, as two quick wickets fell, but she managed to keep the momentum going until the 17th over. Her thrilling performance not only earned her the Player of the Match title but solidified her status as one of the finest players in the league.
Despite ending their innings 15 runs short of expectations, MI's bowlers had the task of defending the total. Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, had to chase down 150 after Kaur and her team set it. Their start was far from ideal, with both openers, Lanning and Shafali Verma, dismissed cheaply, leaving the team at 17 for 2 early on.
Jemimah Rodrigues provided some hope for Delhi with her 30 runs from 21 balls, but her dismissal by Amelia Kerr shifted the momentum firmly back to Mumbai. Marizanne Kapp tried to anchor the innings with her impressive knock of 40 runs from 26 balls, but the dismissal of Kapp by Sciver-Brunt proved detrimental as Delhi's chase faltered.
With Niki Prasad contributing 25 runs and providing late-game resistance, the Capitals clawed back slightly, but the required run rate accelerated as the innings reached its climax. Needing 13 runs from the final over, the target became insurmountable, and Delhi fell short at 141 for 9, marking yet another heartbreak as it was their third consecutive loss at this stage.
Reflecting on the win, Harmanpreet expressed immense pride in her team’s performance: "It was not easy for us. When you win, you are really happy; we took calculated risks and it helped us", she remarked, highlighting the strategic decisions made throughout the match.
Meanwhile, Lanning acknowledged the effort of her team, saying, "Chasing 150 was pretty good for us, we are proud of the team. Another partnership for a couple of overs might have been enough." The disappointment was palpable for Delhi as they once again found themselves on the losing side at the finals.
The significance of Mumbai's victory cemented their dominance within the franchise structure, with this being their seventh final win across all leagues, reflecting their consistent performance. Nat Sciver-Brunt also shone during the match and was celebrated as the MVP of the season; she noted, "So pleased... it has been amazing and we are really really happy to be part of this team, which feels like family."
With this victory, Mumbai Indians not only secured their second WPL title but also reaffirmed their status as one of the most formidable teams. They now look forward to creating more historical moments as the women’s cricket scene evolves and flourishes with each tournament.