With a vital six-wicket victory over UP Warriorz in the 16th match of ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, Mumbai Indians improved their place in the standings and moved one step closer to qualifying for the playoffs.
A remarkable effort was displayed by Hayley Matthews, who took 2 for 25 and scored a match-winning 68 off 46 balls. Kerr’s incredible five-wicket haul, which destroyed UP Warriorz’ middle order, matched her all-around genius.
In reference to her knock, Matthews stated, “It felt pretty good to come at the crease today. As a batter, I just wanted to go back to my processes, give myself a chance early on, and try to stay on the crease. I think I was able to do both today pretty well.”
The victory was significant for Mumbai Indians since it demonstrated their well-rounded team and cemented their place in the top two.
Matthews emphasised this advantage by saying, “We have the top spots in the tournament, and it shows we have a lot of people contributing towards the team’s success. It’s really healthy for the team.” Her partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt (92-run stand) made sure Mumbai’s pursuit went smoothly and solidified their lead in WPL run-chases.
Before Matthews took over with the bat, Amelia Kerr’s outstanding five-wicket haul also helped Mumbai Indians restrict UP Warriorz to a modest total.
Following UP Warriorz’s impressive start with Georgia Voll’s 55, her spell of 5 for 38 was crucial in limiting them to 150. Eight of the nine wickets were taken by Mumbai’s spinners, which set off the collapse. Kerr’s accuracy and variety made it challenging to score, particularly in the middle overs when UPW stalled.
In a compliment to her teammates, Matthews stated, “Amelia bowled really well tonight. It’s great to have them (Nat and Amelia) on my side.”
The rise of youthful players who have performed well under stress has been a major contributor to the Mumbai Indians’ impressive WPL 2025 campaign. Even though the team has seasoned overseas players, their young Indian players have proven to be invaluable due to their exceptional poise and flexibility.
Mumbai has been able to sustain its high standards throughout the tournament thanks to their desire to learn and grow under the direction of seasoned campaigners like Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Harmanpreet Kaur.
Matthews expressed gratitude for their input by stating, “So many young players, the most important thing is they are all very eager. They all want to do better and are eager to learn. They are all exciting prospects to look at in the future.”
Mumbai Indians will try to take advantage of home circumstances at the Brabourne Stadium starting on March 10 as WPL 2025 moves to Mumbai. Returning to home field after spending a large portion of the season away from home offers the club a fantastic chance to solidify their league standing.
As Mumbai looks to improve their performances and make a serious run for the playoffs, home advantage will be essential. Matthews concluded by stating, “Something that can never be taken away from us—everyone is looking forward to it, for new opportunities to build more memories. That’s exactly what we are looking to do.”
(Quotes sourced from video posted by WPL on Instagram)
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