MI head coach reveals key turning point during WPL final
What's the story
Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Charlotte Edwards has credited her team's victory in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 final to the early wickets of the Delhi Capitals' (DC) captain ,Meg Lanning, and opener Shafali Verma.
Speaking to the media after the match, Edwards said that Lanning's wicket at just 13 runs and Verma's at four runs, with only 17 runs on the board, were vital turning points.
Here are further details.
Tactical advantage
Edwards highlights Capitals' cautious approach
Edwards noted that DC's cautious approach during their chase played into MI's hands.
"It probably fell in our hands a little bit that we were a bit short, and potentially they went about it a bit slower than they normally do," she said.
The MI coach was relieved to see the opening partnership of Lanning and Verma dismissed early, calling it "our curse over the last few years."
Captain's impact
Edwards praises MI captain Kaur's performance
Edwards also praised MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur for her phenomenal contribution to the team's 150-run total.
She called Kaur "really calm" and "deeply competitive," adding that she did everything in her power to bring home another title with her 66-run innings off just 44 balls.
It was her innings that propelled MI to a challenging total and, eventually, their win over DC.
"She's clearly she wanted to win another title here, and she did everything in her power," Edwards stated.
Player accolades
Edwards commends all-rounders' contributions
Edwards also lauded all-rounders Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews for their massive contributions throughout the tournament.
Sciver-Brunt was the highest run-scorer in WPL 2025 with 523 runs, while Matthews shared the top wicket-taker spot with her teammate Amelie Kerr, taking 18 wickets each.
Edwards called both players "exceptional" and "absolutely amazing," emphasizing their contribution to MI's successful campaign in WPL 2025.
Recap
MI win second WPL title
As mentioned, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led MI defeated the Meg Lanning-led DC to secure their second WPL title.
Batting first, MI struggled at 2/14 before Sciver-Brunt and Kaur built an 89-run stand.
Sciver-Brunt fell for 30, but Kaur's brilliant 66 off 44 helped MI post 149/7 in 20 overs.
Defending 150, Sciver-Brunt's 3/30 and Kerr's 2/25 ensured Marizanne Kapp's 40 off 26 and Jemimah Rodrigues's 30 off 21 went in vain, as DC were restricted to 141/9.