Mumbai Indians registered their first points on the board by defeating Gujarat Giants by five wickets in the 5th game of the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) in Vadodara. The likes of Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, and Hayley Matthews all-round show played an instrumental role in helping the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, get their first win in the ongoing 3rd edition of the tournament.
Caribbean all-rounder Chinelle Henry makes her WPL debut
The young 29-year-old all-rounder from the West Indies, Chenille Henry came in as a replacement for their regular UP Warriorz skipper Alyssa Healy, who withdrew her name from the ongoing 3rd edition of the WPL, ahead of the season. She was finally handed her debut in the WPL. The West Indian all-rounder had a memorable time the last time she was in Vadodara, playing the 3rd ODI against India, scoring a cracking half-century (61 off 72 balls) for her side in that game.
Impactful knocks from Kiran Navgire and Chinelle Henry powers Warriorz to 166
Kiran Navgire led the charge as the Warriorz got off to a blazing start with a 66-run opening partnership in the powerplay alongside Dinesh Vrinda providing one of the best powerplay fireworks in the ongoing 3rd edition of the tournament, marking a memorable start to the landmark 50th game of the WPL. Annabel Sutherland opened the doors for the Capitals by removing Vrinda Dinesh on the penultimate ball of the powerplay, providing the much-needed first breakthrough for her side.
The Warriorz kept losing wickets at regular intervals before the WPL debutant, Chenille Henry infused the Caribbean power into the innings with her quick-fire unbeaten cameo (33* off 18 balls) alongside Shweta Sehrawat (37 off 33 balls) and courtesy of a crucial 44-run stand for the 6th wicket, the UP Warriorz posted a competitive total of 166/7 in their quota of 20 overs.
Kiran Navgire notched up her 3rd WPL half-century (51 off 27 balls) for the UP Warriorz. Annabel Sutherland (4-0-26-2), accounting for the big scalps of Kiran Navgire and Vrinda Dinesh, standing out with the ball, alongside Jess Jonassen (4-0-21-1) for the Delhi Capitals. Marizanne Kapp (4-0-30-1) delivered an impressive spell, especially the final over of the UP Warriorz innings. She also accounted for the crucial wicket of Shweta Sehrawat in her spell for her side.
Meg Lanning’s 69 instrumental as Capitals get back to winning ways
Much like their opponents, the Capitals openers Shafali Verma and skipper Meg Lanning provided them with a flying start courtesy of a 65-run opening stand, scoring at a rate of around 10 runs an over. Shafali Verma (26 off 16 balls) after getting off the blocks quickly, threw it away to an unnecessary hoick in the 7th over of the run chase of 167. Skipper Deepti Sharma provided the much-needed first breakthrough for the UP Warriorz.
Sophie Ecclestone removed Jemimah Rodrigues for a duck to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side in the 8th over of the run chase. Annabel Sutherland joined skipper Meg Lanning at the crease and the skipper continued her merry way of putting the pressure back on the bowlers, as Sutherland played the ideal foil for her en route to their crucial 49-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to settle the nerves in the Delhi camp.
A smart move from skipper Deepti Sharma by introducing Grace Harris and her golden arm paid rich dividends for the Warriorz as she accounted for the big scalp of the opposition skipper Meg Lanning (69 off 49 balls) in the 15th over of the run chase. The damage was already done as the Capitals skipper completed her first half-century in the ongoing 3rd edition of the tournament.
The game went down to the wire as the pair of Annabel Sutherland (41* off 35 balls) and Marizanne Kapp (29* off 17 balls) capitalised on the lapses in the field by the UP Warriorz, to guide the Meg Lanning-led side over the line, with seven wickets in hand and a ball to spare, courtesy of an unbeaten 48-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Deepti Sharma (4-0-27-1), Sophie Ecclestone (4-0-31-1), and Grace Harris (2-0-11-1) picked up a wicket each with the ball for the UP Warriorz.
Annabel Sutherland was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational all-round performances. She returned with impressive match figures of 4-0-26-2 with the ball and stayed unbeaten on 41* off 35 balls to guide her side over the line. She alongside skipper Meg Lanning played a pivotal role as the Delhi Capitals returned to winning ways in style.
Loves all things female cricket
