As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 gets going and intensifies, Mumbai Indians have moved to the top of the points table with a convincing 8-wicket win over UP Warriorz in the 11th match of the tournament.
Opting to bowl first, Mumbai Indians’ potent bowling attack restricted UP Warriorz to a paltry 142/9. Nat Sciver-Brunt led the charge with 3 wickets, while Sanskriti Gupta (2/11) and Shabnim Ismail (2/33) chipped in with crucial scalps. UP Warriorz innings was propped up by a 52-ball 79-run partnership between Grace Harris and Vrinda Dinesh. However, their efforts were not enough to post a competitive total.
Mumbai Indians’ chase was a cakewalk, despite losing opener Yastika Bhatia early. Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt forged a dominant 133-run partnership, with Matthews falling late in the innings. Sciver-Brunt remained unbeaten, guiding her team to victory. Harmanpreet Kaur then applied the finishing touches, hitting a four off the very first ball she faced, as Mumbai Indians sealed the win in style in the 17th over.
Highlights from the match –
Nat Sciver Brunt – 3/18(4) & 75*(44)
Nat Sciver-Brunt stole the show with a match-winning performance, earning her the Player of the Match award. With the ball, she claimed 3 crucial wickets for just 18 runs in her 4-over spell, including the scalps of Kiran Navgire, Shweta Sehrawat, and Chinelle Henry. Her batting exploits were equally impressive, as she remained unbeaten on 75 off 44 deliveries, smashing 13 fours to guide her team to a convincing victory. Her innings was marked by several impressive shots, including consecutive fours off Saima Thakor and Chinelle Henry, showcasing her mastery over the bowlers.
Hayley Matthews – 1/38(4) & 59(50)
Hayley Matthews played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s chase, scoring a composed 59 off 50 balls with seven fours and two sixes before falling to Sophie Ecclestone in the 17th over. She shifted gears in the 16th over, which began with Grace Harris overstepping on a length ball, allowing Matthews to pull it for four between long-on and deep midwicket. Capitalizing on the free hit, she stepped down the track and launched a six over deep midwicket. She then reached her fifty with a single to long-on before edging a tossed-up delivery past deep third for four. She ended the over with a powerful pull to midwicket that almost cleared the boundary. With the ball, she claimed 1/38 in four overs, dismissing UP Warriorz skipper Deepti Sharma.
Sanskriti Gupta – 2/11(2)
Sanskriti Gupta made a significant impact for Mumbai, picking up 2/11 in her two-over spell. The 20-year-old off-spinner shifted the game’s momentum in the 10th over, first removing Dinesh Vrinda, who lifted a short delivery straight to deep square leg. Just three balls later, she produced a perfect 95.1 kph yorker to castle Tahlia McGrath, leaving the batter stunned. This crucial double breakthrough put UP Warriorz on the back foot and strengthened Mumbai’s grip on the match.
Grace Harris – 45(26)
Grace Harris was the standout batter for UP Warriorz, top scoring with a dynamic 45 off 26 deliveries, studded with 6 fours and 2 sixes. She shared a crucial 79-run partnership with Dinesh Vrinda, providing a glimmer of hope for UP Warriorz’s innings. Harris’ aggressive batting was on full display, particularly in the 4th over against Hayley Matthews, where she smashed 2 sixes and 2 fours, including a mighty six over deep midwicket and a swept boundary square of the wicket.
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