The Mumbai Indians surged to the top of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 standings with a commanding eight-wicket win over the UP Warriorz on Wednesday. The victory, spearheaded by Nat Sciver-Brunt’s all-round brilliance and Hayley Matthews’ solid fifty, showcased Mumbai’s dominance in both departments.
Opting to field first, Mumbai Indians restricted the Warriorz to a modest 142/9. Despite a spirited 79-run stand between Grace Harris (45) and Vrinda Dinesh (33), UP’s batting faltered after their dismissals. Sciver-Brunt’s clinical three-wicket haul and Sanskriti Gupta’s impactful 2/11 kept the runs in check.
Sciver-Brunt and Matthews Power MI’s Chase
Chasing 143, Mumbai Indians had a rocky start with Yastika Bhatia departing for a duck, falling victim to Deepti Sharma’s sharp delivery. However, Sciver-Brunt and Matthews steadied the innings.
MI cautiously crawled to 18 runs in the first five overs, but Sciver-Brunt broke the shackles with a flurry of boundaries. Matthews soon joined the assault, and the duo shifted gears to reach 65/1 at the halfway stage.
Their partnership flourished with another 50 runs in just five overs, effectively taking the game away from UP. Sciver-Brunt celebrated her third fifty of the season, finishing unbeaten on 75 off 44 balls*, while Matthews added a valuable fifty before her dismissal. MI chased down the target with three overs to spare, sealing an emphatic victory.
Key Highlights:
- Nat Sciver-Brunt: 75* (44 balls) & 3 wickets – the standout performer.
- Hayley Matthews: Scored her first fifty of the season, setting up a strong foundation.
- Sanskriti Gupta: Economical spell of 2/11, pivotal in stifling UP’s middle order.
- Grace Harris & Vrinda Dinesh: Rescued UP Warriorz with a 79-run stand, but lacked support.
What’s Next?
With this win, Mumbai Indians climb to the top of the WPL 2025 points table, boosting their playoff hopes. Meanwhile, the UP Warriorz will need to regroup and address their middle-order concerns to stay in contention.