Mumbai Indians (WPL) vs Gujarat Giants Women Match Scorecard

Mumbai Indians’ victory began with their bowlers striking early against Delhi Capitals. Nat Sciver-Brunt dismissed DC captain Meg Lanning with a peach of a delivery. Shabnim Ismail followed, trapping Shafali Verma, DC’s top scorer, in the powerplay. This double blow left DC reeling at 44 for 4, shattering their chase of 150. Amelia Kerr’s spin outfoxed Jess Jonassen, adding to the chaos. The early wickets disrupted DC’s batting rhythm on a Brabourne pitch, favoring first-innings totals.

MI’s strategy was clear: attack with pace and spin to unsettle DC’s aggressive openers. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pressure tactics work in tight ecosystems—here, it was cricket’s ecosystem. DC’s collapse to 66 for 5 showed MI’s plan clicking perfectly. The crowd at Brabourne roared as each wicket fell, sensing MI’s grip tightening.

This wasn’t just skill; it was psychological warfare, forcing DC into a defensive shell. While Marizanne Kapp later fought back, the early damage proved too deep. MI’s bowlers didn’t just take wickets—they dictated the game’s tempo, setting up a defendable total for their batters to protect.

Harmanpreet’s Rescue Act Shifted Momentum

Harmanpreet Kaur’s 66 off 44 balls was Mumbai Indians’ lifeline in the final. MI stumbled to 14 for 2, thanks to DC’s Marizanne Kapp and Shikha Pandey. The powerplay yielded just 20 runs—MI’s second-lowest in WPL history. Enter Harmanpreet, unflustered and aggressive, turning the tide with flair. She smashed a six off Annabel Sutherland, signaling intent to counterattack.

Her assault on Jess Jonassen—three fours in a row—showed her mastery over spin. A wristy whip off Minnu Mani was pure class, a shot for the highlight reel. With Nat Sciver-Brunt, she added 89 for the third wicket, lifting MI from despair. The National Geographic notes predators adapt under pressure—Harmanpreet did just that. Between overs eight and 13, MI scored 59 runs, each over bleeding double digits.

Her fifty in 36 balls wasn’t just runs; it was a statement of leadership. Though she fell to Sutherland late, her knock pushed MI to 149 for 7. DC’s bowlers couldn’t regain control after her blitz. Harmanpreet’s innings weren’t about survival—it was about seizing momentum, giving MI a total DC couldn’t chase despite their late surge.

Sciver-Brunt’s All-Round Heroics Sealed the Deal

Nat Sciver-Brunt was the Mumbai Indians’ trump card in the WPL 2025 final. She scored 30 off 28, steadying MI alongside Harmanpreet Kaur’s fireworks. Their 89-run stand turned 14 for 2 into a competitive 149 for 7. But her real magic came with the ball, taking 3 for 30. She clean-bowled Meg Lanning early, igniting DC’s collapse to 44 for 4. Later, with DC needing 14 off the last over, Sciver-Brunt held her nerve.

She dismissed Marizanne Kapp, ending a dangerous fightback, and restricted DC to 141 for 9. The BBC highlights clutch performers thrive in chaos—Sciver-Brunt embodied that. Her final over conceded just five runs, clinching an eight-run win. Becoming the first to 1,000 WPL runs added to her legend.

MI’s faith in her all-round skill paid off, outshining DC’s late rally. From stabilizing the innings to delivering under pressure, Sciver-Brunt’s dual impact was the difference. She didn’t just play—she dominated, securing MI’s second title.

Kapp’s Late Surge Nearly Stole the Show

Marizanne Kapp almost flipped the WPL 2025 final for Delhi Capitals. DC was crumbling at 66 for 5, chasing MI’s 149 for 7. Kapp, unbeaten with 2 for 11 earlier, stepped up with 40 off 26 balls. She smashed a six off Nat Sciver-Brunt, waking up the Brabourne crowd. Two fours off Hayley Matthews followed, then a 4-6-4 burst against Saika Ishaque. With Niki Prasad, she added 40 in 29 balls, slashing the target to 23 off 12.

Prasad’s six off Matthews made it 14 off 6—game on. The WWF notes resilience defines survivors; Kapp was DC’s last stand. Her wristy clips and bold drives showed tactical smarts under pressure. But Sciver-Brunt struck, getting Kapp caught at long-off in the final over. DC finished at 141 for 9, eight runs short.

Kapp’s spell with the ball had MI at 20 for 2; her bat nearly undid that deficit. It was a heroic effort, but MI’s composure trumped her late brilliance, leaving DC heartbroken again.

DC’s Top-Order Collapse Proved Costly

Delhi Capitals’ chase of 150 imploded early, dooming their WPL 2025 final hopes. Nat Sciver-Brunt bowled Meg Lanning, a captain’s wicket that stunned DC. Shabnim Ismail trapped Shafali Verma, DC’s 400-run season star, in the powerplay. Amelia Kerr deceived Jess Jonassen, and Saika Ishaque dismissed Annabel Sutherland.

At 44 for 4, DC’s batting spine was broken. Jemimah Rodrigues’ quick 30 offered hope, but her fall left them 66 for 5. Sarah Bryce’s run-out deepened the hole at 83 for 6. A nature study says early losses disrupt ecosystems, and DC’s lineup mirrored that chaos. MI’s bowlers exploited a pitch-aiding swing, per the Brabourne trend of defending low totals. Kapp’s late 40 couldn’t erase the top-order’s failure.

DC’s third straight runner-up finish stung harder with this collapse. Their stars—Lanning, Verma—couldn’t fire when it mattered most. MI’s relentless attack turned DC’s strength into a liability, proving early wickets can dictate a final’s fate.

Tactical Toss and Pitch Mastery Won It for MI

Mumbai Indians’ win hinged on mastering the toss and Brabourne’s pitch. DC opted to bowl, banking on chasing, but the surface favored batting first. MI posted 149 for 7, a total bolstered by Harmanpreet Kaur’s 66. The pitch, fresh and dry, offered early swing—Kapp and Pandey used it to peg MI at 20 for 2. Yet, MI adapted, accelerating later with 70 runs in seven overs.

Defending, MI’s bowlers exploited the same conditions, reducing DC to 44 for 4. The National Snow and Ice Data Center tracks shifting patterns—MI read this pitch’s shift better. Five straight Brabourne games, including this, saw first-batters triumph. DC’s strategy misfired; Dew didn’t aid their chase as hoped. MI’s 149 was the fourth sub-150 total defended in WPL, three against DC.

Sciver-Brunt’s final oversealed it, proving tactical acumen over raw firepower. MI’s title—second in three years—came from pitch-smart cricket, outthinking DC’s chase-first gamble in a final where conditions were king.