On the evening of March 15, 2025, the Mumbai Indians celebrated yet another triumph, edging past the Delhi Capitals by just eight runs to lift their second Women's Premier League (WPL) title. Under the floodlights at the Brabourne Stadium, where they had triumphed previously, the atmosphere was electric as fans rallied behind their teams. This victory marked Mumbai's place as the first team to win two WPL championships, solidifying their legacy as the league's most dominant force.
Asked to bat first, Mumbai's skipper Harmanpreet Kaur starred with the bat, scoring 66 runs off 44 balls. Her early fireworks set the tone for the innings, allowing Mumbai to post a competitive total of 149 runs for seven wickets. Alongside her, Nat Sciver-Brunt provided pivotal support with the bat, contributing 30 runs. Kaur's 66 came during periods when Mumbai appeared to be struggling, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure.
"Every time luck doesn't go in your favor, you have to step up," Kaur emphasized following the match, reflecting on the pressure her team faced as two-time champions. She expressed her delight at the victory, underscoring the team's resilience to overcome early setbacks.
Delhi Capitals found themselves on the backfoot quickly, losing their star opening pair, Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma, to the pressure exerted by Mumbai's bowlers. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Shabnim Ismail struck early, leaving the Capitals scrambling at 28 for two wickets after the first eight overs. "We just wanted someone to step up with the bat," said Sanskriti Gupta, assistant captain for Mumbai. With momentum swinging dramatically, the pressure was squarely on Delhi's middle order.
Despite the early setbacks, Marizanne Kapp emerged as Delhi’s beacon of hope, scoring a fighting 40 runs. Kapp's wicket, taken by Sciver-Brunt, proved pivotal as it came immediately following her partnership with Niki Prasad, who was trying to hold the innings together. Unfortunately for Delhi, Kapp's efforts came too late, and the batting unit collapsed under the weight of the situation.
While Kapp and her teammates fought valiantly, the pressure mounted drastically. Even after achieving boundaries and keeping the scoreboard ticking, they needed 14 runs from the final over and struggled to keep pace. Jaws tightened around the ground, with every ball trapping fans between hope and despair. Niki Prasad hit a six, but as the drama unfolded, it simply wasn’t enough.
Sciver-Brunt was instrumental not only with the bat but also with the ball, wrapping up her stellar performance with impressive figures of 3 for 30. Mumbai's bowling attack, highlighted by Amelia Kerr's two wickets and Ismail's tight spell conceding only 15 runs, stepped up to seal the victory.
Nita Ambani, owner of the Mumbai franchise, reflected on the importance of this win, stating confidently, "When young girls receive support and empowerment, they can accomplish incredible things. We are trying to empower girls through sport, and look what they can achieve.” Ambani's pride was palpable, emphasizing the importance of education and sports as complementary forces.
For Delhi, this loss marked their third consecutive defeat in the finals, leaving many wondering if they would ever break their championship curse. A visibly emotional Kapp was consoled by teammates as tears of frustration mixed with the disappointment of falling once more short at the finals stage.
Harmanpreet Kaur and her team wore their second title with pride. Along with the title, the match showcased incredible talent, strategy, and the enduring spirit of women's cricket. "Our team meetings are simple, but every time we step on the field, we aim to compete at the highest level and deliver our best," she noted with unwavering determination.
Reflecting on the match, Sanskriti Gupta also stated, "This victory is proof of our ability to deliver under pressure. We had faith in our strength, and we worked hard to earn this victory against all odds.” There was both jubilation and melancholy as both teams gave it their all, displaying not just competitiveness but also respect and camaraderie.
With this thrilling final now written down in history, the future of women’s cricket appears bright. Meanwhile, Delhi must regroup and recalibrate, hoping they can turn their misfortune around. Fans and players alike eagerly await the next chapter of their rivalry, yet for now, it is the Mumbai Indians who found reason to lift their heads high, relishing the sweet taste of victory.