Mumbai Indians won their second trophy by defeating Delhi Capitals by 8 runs in the final of the Women's Premier League here on Saturday with the brilliant performance of their bowlers after a half-century by captain Harmanpreet Kaur (66 runs). On the other hand, Delhi Capitals had to suffer the brunt of losing wickets at regular intervals by losing their third final and had to be content with being the runner-up for the third time.
After being invited to bat, Mumbai Indians team could score only 149 runs for seven wickets on their home ground despite Harmanpreet's half-century. Harmanpreet played an innings of nine fours and two sixes in 44 balls, but she did not get a good partner at the other end, due to which the team could only reach this score after a slow start. The captain shared an 89-run partnership in 62 balls for the third wicket with Nat Sciver Brunt (30 runs). If this partnership had not been made, the Mumbai Indians team would not have even reached this score.
Marijan Kapp's hard work went in vain
But the Mumbai Indians bowlers defended this small target well and gave the team its second title after 2023. Nat Sciver Brunt took 3 for 30, Amelia Kerr took 2 for 25 while Shabnim Ismail, Hayley Matthews and Saiqa Ishak took 1-1 wickets. For Delhi Capitals, Marizanne Kapp (40 off 26 balls), Jemima Rodrigues (30 off 21 balls) and Nikki Prasad (25 not out off 23 balls) tried to score runs quickly but the team could only score 141 runs for nine wickets in 20 overs.
Delhi's bowling was excellent
Delhi Capitals, who won the toss and decided to field, dominated from the opening spell itself, but Harmanpreet hit a half-century with some attractive shots. For Delhi Capitals, Marizanne Kapp took the wickets of both Mumbai Indians openers Hayley Matthews (03) and Yastika Bhatia (08) for 11 runs in four overs. Left-arm spinner Sri Charani took two wickets for 43 runs and Jose Jonassen took two wickets for 26 runs. Annabel Sutherland took one wicket in the form of Harmanpreet.
Brunt completes 500 runs
Sciver Brunt, who scored the most runs in the tournament, completed her 500 runs in this phase. Harmanpreet and Sciver Brunt added 89 runs in 10 overs. But when it seemed that the Mumbai Indians team was moving towards making a big score, left-arm spinner Sri Charani got Sciver Brunt caught at square leg, who reached the pavilion while trying to slog sweep. In this way, due to Jonassen's double blow in the 16th over, the score changed from 103 for three to 118 for six, which increased the pressure on Harmanpreet.
Delhi had a bad start
Chasing the target, Delhi Capitals lost the wicket of captain Meg Lanning (13 runs) in the second over itself, who was bowled by Nat Sciver Brunt. Young star Shefali Verma was also out on the ball of Shabnim Ismail after adding two runs. There were hopes from Jess Jonassen but Amelia Kerr got her caught by wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia on her googly and the score became 37 runs for three wickets.
Delhi's wickets kept falling continuously
Saika Ishak ended the innings of Annabel Sutherland (02) in the eighth over and Delhi Capitals lost their fourth wicket for 44 runs. Jemima Rodrigues (30 runs, 21 balls, four fours) raised hopes of speeding up the innings by hitting some good shots but Kerr caught her out on her own ball and took Delhi's fifth wicket for 66 runs. This was a big blow for them. Sarah Bryce (05) also got out cheaply.
