Mumbai Indians clinched their second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title by defeating Delhi Capitals by 8 runs on March 15, 2025, at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. The victory was marked by excellent performances, particularly from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 66 runs off 44 balls, leading her team to a total of 149 runs.
The final was highly anticipated, especially since it mirrored the 2023 final where MI emerged victorious as well. After winning the toss, Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning decided to bowl first, hoping to leverage any assistance the pitch might offer. Initially, it seemed like a strategic choice, as the Mumbai innings began sluggishly, and they found themselves struggling at 20 for 2 during the Powerplay. This prompted Kaur to turn things around.
Harmanpreet formed a pivotal partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt, which helped stabilize the innings. The two added 89 runs for the third wicket, bringing MI back from the brink of collapse. Sciver-Brunt contributed significantly with 30 runs, marking her 500 runs for the season. Despite the strong partnership, MI faced setbacks when wickets began to tumble after reaching 103 for 3, eventually collapsing to 149 for 7.
On the bowling side, Marizanne Kapp shone for the Delhi Capitals, ending with impressive figures of 2 for 11, effectively dismantling MI’s middle order. Left-arm spinner Shree Charani also made impactful contributions with her 2 for 43, and Jess Jonassen supported her with 2 for 26. Their efforts were instrumental, particularly during MI’s downturn when it seemed poised for bigger runs.
Chasing 150 runs, Delhi Capitals started their innings with the promise of chase, but their top order crumbled under MI’s relentless bowling attack. Relying on Kapp’s late charge to keep their hopes alive, DC could not build enough partnerships, with Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma falling early.
Delhi’s innings was characterized by momentum swings, and as they lost wickets, it became increasingly difficult to keep the required run rate within reach. Harmanpreet’s tactical bowling changes, reinforced by strategic field placements, solidified Mumbai's grip on the game. They knew the importance of every wicket and executed their plans impeccably during the final overs.
During the last few overs, it felt like Delhi might pull off the chase. A bright spot was Kapp’s resilience; she struck some remarkable boundaries, giving her team brief flashes of hope. But eventually, the pressure took its toll, leading to disciplined dismissal patterns from MI bowlers, including the standout performances from Natalie Sciver-Brunt, who also claimed three important wickets.
MI’s bowling attack maintained pressure, with Shabnim Ismail and Hayley Matthews delivering tight spells and capitalizing on DC’s uneasiness. Finally, Delhi ended their chase at 141, falling short by 9 runs, marking their third consecutive final defeat and reinforcing Mumbai's dominance over the league.
After the match, Harmanpreet reflected on her innings, stating, "It wasn’t easy when I walked in to bat. I focused on rotating the strike and, alongside Nat [Sciver-Brunt], aimed to keep things simple." She attributed the victory to great bowling, which kept the scoring rate down and highlighted the importance of teamwork and preparation leading up to the final.
Meg Lanning, on the other hand, acknowledged the disappointment of coming up short yet again but complimented Mumbai for their performance, noting, "There is absolutely no substitute for performing well on the day, and Mumbai did justifiably win the game." This sentiment echoed the frustrations of her team as they faced yet another missed opportunity.
Overall, the WPL 2025 final was filled with excitement, showcasing the best of women's cricket, and engaging fans with thrilling performances, emotions, and competitive spirit. With Mumbai Indians hoisting the trophy again, there's plenty for them to celebrate as they continue to establish themselves as formidable champions within the league and women's cricket at large.