Mumbai Indians Clinch Women's Premier League Title with Early Breakthroughs
Key Early Wickets Propel Mumbai Indians to Victory
Charlotte Edwards, the head coach of Mumbai Indians, credited the early dismissals of Delhi Capitals' captain Meg Lanning and opener Shafali Verma as pivotal moments in securing their win in the Women’s Premier League final. With just 17 runs on the scoreboard, Lanning (13) and Shafali (4) were sent back, leaving DC to finish at 141/9 while chasing a target of 150.
Edwards remarked, "We were aware that our score was slightly below par, but in a final, every run counts more. Shafali didn’t perform as she usually does, and I immediately sensed that we had a chance, especially if we could dismiss her early."
She noted that DC appeared somewhat hesitant during their chase. "It seemed to work in our favor that we were a bit short, and they may have approached the chase more cautiously than usual. The opening partnership of Lanning and Shafali has been a challenge for us in recent years, so I was thrilled to see them both dismissed early. It was truly a team effort," she added.
Harmanpreet Kaur's Stellar Performance
Edwards praised MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur for her crucial innings of 66 runs off 44 balls, which helped set a competitive total. "She remains composed and is fiercely competitive, clearly eager to secure another title. She did everything possible to achieve that with her performance. She’s a great leader, inspiring our young players and collaborating effectively with both our overseas and seasoned players," she stated.
Outstanding Contributions from All-Rounders
The coach also highlighted the significant contributions from all-rounders Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews throughout the tournament. Brunt emerged as the top run-scorer with 523 runs, while Hayley shared the title of leading wicket-taker with teammate Amelie Kerr, each claiming 18 wickets.
Delhi Capitals Fall Short Again
Jonathan Batty, head coach of DC, reflected on the disappointment of losing their third consecutive final, suggesting that the pressure of the occasion may have affected the players. "Everyone is feeling the pain right now. Typically, you would back yourself to chase 150 on that pitch. Perhaps the moment got to the players, but full credit to Mumbai Indians for their defensive strategy. We were never in the lead during the chase, although we remained competitive throughout," Batty commented.
He emphasized that the players did not carry the weight of past failures into this final. "The team has maintained a positive outlook, and I can’t criticize their mindset. There was no negative chatter about previous finals; they were confident and optimistic. I don’t believe there’s any mental barrier at play," he concluded.