Mumbai Indians (MI) secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over UP Warriorz (UPW) on February 26, 2025, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, marking another successful outing in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 season.
Leading the charge was the formidable all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt, who showcased her prowess by scoring an unbeaten 75 runs off 44 balls, complemented by her impressive bowling figures of three wickets for just 18 runs. This remarkable performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
After winning the toss, MI opted to field first, allowing UPW to set the pace of the game. Despite losing Kiran Navgire early on, UPW found momentum through Grace Harris and Vrinda Dinesh, who forged a strong partnership of 79 runs for the second wicket. Harris scored 45 runs off 26 deliveries before being dismissed by Amelia Kerr, and Dinesh contributed with 33 runs. This partnership gave UPW hope as they aimed to post a competitive total.
MI's bowlers regained control after the dismissal of Harris, taking four wickets for just 12 runs, stifling UPW's scoring and ending their innings at 142 runs for nine wickets. Sciver-Brunt's economical bowling played a pivotal role, along with Shabnim Ismail and Sanskriti Gupta, who chipped in with two wickets each, dismantling the UP batting lineup effectively.
Chasing 143 runs for victory, MI faced early trouble as Yastika Bhatia was dismissed for just 6 runs. The pressure, though, was effectively countered by Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews, who built an impressive 133-run partnership. Matthews provided significant support with her contribution of 59 runs off 50 balls, showcasing resilience and skill—especially after receiving an early life when Sophie Ecclestone dropped her catch, which could have shifted the game’s momentum.
Sciver-Brunt's innings was marked by 13 boundaries, as she quickly took MI closer to the target. With MI’s strong batting lineup, captain Harmanpreet Kaur had little left to do except seal the victory with a boundary, bringing the match to its conclusion with three overs to spare.
This win propelled MI to the top of the WPL 2025 points table, at least temporarily unseated the Delhi Capitals. MI has now achieved three wins out of four matches, exhibiting strong form as they progress through the tournament.
Reflecting on the match, UP Warriorz had entered the contest full of confidence, having executed successful run chases previously. Their decision to promote Harris to open the innings was strategic but did not yield the expected results, especially after the loss of key wickets which halted their progress.
Despite the setbacks, UPW's captain and players acknowledged the need to regroup and learn from this match, citing their previous successful total against the Delhi Capitals as they looked to bounce back. The match showcased the growing competitiveness of WPL, with teams demonstrating fluctuated dynamics throughout their performances.
Mumbai Indians, with their all-round strength and strategic gameplay, are positioning themselves as strong contenders this season, driven by performances like Sciver-Brunt’s, whose contributions with both bat and ball are proving instrumental. The victory against UPW is just the latest example of MI's promise, as fans eagerly anticipate more explosive games as the tournament continues.