Nat Sciver-Brunt scored a sparkling unbeaten 60 as Mumbai Indians Women defeated Delhi Capitals Women by 7 wickets in the Women’s Premier League final at the Brabourne Stadium.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Delhi Capitals were rocked early as Issy Wong claimed wickets of Shafali Verma (11) and Alice Capsey (0) in quick succession. Both fell to full tosses, and there was a hint of controversy about Verma’s wicket, which several fans felt should’ve been a no-ball for height.
Skipper Meg Lanning along with Jemimah Rodrigues added 22 runs for the third wicket before the latter chipped yet another full toss from Wong to Hayley Matthews at point for 9.
Amelia Kerr then got into the act by dismissing South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp (18), caught behind by wicket keeper Yastika Bhatia. Kapp’s dismissal triggered a collapse, with Delhi falling from 73/3 to 79/9.
Skipper Meg Lanning (35) was run out following a horrible mix up with Jess Jonassen, who then fell to Matthews, followed by Minnu Manni and Taniya Bhatia as the visitors fell apart.
However some fine rear-guard hitting by Shikha Pandey(27)* and Radha Yadav (27)* towards the end- they added 52 in the final four, took Delhi to a competitive score of 131/9 in their 20 overs.
Chasing 132, Radha drew first blood by dismissing Yastika (4), caught at deep mid wicket by Alice Capsey off Radha Yadav.
Jess Jonassen then dismissed Matthews (13), who was caught by Arundhati Reddy at short mid-on.
The pair of Nat Sciver-Brunt along with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur however stitched together a valuable 72 run stand for the third wicket to ease MI’s nevers. Kaur (37) was run out while attempting a risky run, but Sciver and Kerr held their nerve to take Mumbai to their maiden title with 3 balls to spare.