Mumbai Indians became the champions of the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL 2023) in a close-fought encounter against Delhi Capitals played at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on 26 March 2023.

Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning won the toss and decided to bat first. Shafali Verma began the innings off to a quick start before Issy Wong dismissed Verma with controversial no-ball dismissal. Wong struck again in the same over to dismiss Alice Capsey without opening her account.

Meg Lanning looked brilliant with her timing putting pressure on MI bowlers. Wong dismissed Jemimah Rodrigues cheaply to leave Delhi Capitals in trouble at 35 for 3. At the end of the first six overs, Delhi Capitals scored 38 for 3. Marizanne Kapp and Lanning kept the scoreboard ticking taking singles and hitting occasional boundaries.

Amelia Kerr dismissed Kapp with a good catch by Yastika Bhatia to end 38 runs partnership for the 4^th wicket. Lanning tried to take a single but a superb throw by Amanjot Kaur and gather by Yastika Bhatia resulted in the wicket of Meg Lanning. The incident took place in the 12^th over to leave Delhi Capitals struggling.

Here is how Meg Lanning got out

Amanjot Kaur: our run-out specialist 🎯#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #AaliRe #WPL2023 #DCvMI #WPLFinal #ForTheWpic.twitter.com/EuS0h2Y1xj

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 26, 2023

Mumbai Indians kept picking wickets at regular intervals to leave Delhi Capitals in dire trouble at 79 for 9. Radha Yadav and Shikha Pandey provided some resistance scoring at a quick pace and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Both added unbeaten 52 runs for the final wicket helping Delhi Capitals post 131 for 9.

Mumbai Indians win the title

Chasing down 132 runs to win, Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Mathews fell quickly to leave Mumbai Indians in trouble. Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver Brunt looked cautious against disciplined Delhi Capitals bowling. At the end of the first six overs, Mumbai Indians made 27 for 2.

Kaur and Brunt steadied the ship soaking the pressure taking singles and hitting occasional boundaries. Right after the second timeout, Harmanpreet Kaur was run out while taking a single from Shikha Pandey while Capsey gathered it. Kaur and Nat Sciver Brunt added 72 runs for the 3^rd wicket.

MUMBAI! CHAMPIONS!

THIS. IS. WHAT. IT. MEANS. 🔥💙#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #AaliRe #WPL2023 #DCvMI #WPLFinal #ForTheW pic.twitter.com/fjOuNLlXZ1

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 26, 2023

The match ebbed and flowed before Nat Sciver Brunt took the charge putting pressure on Delhi Capitals bowlers. Brunt completed her half-century off 52 deliveries. Amelia Kerr joined in the party with some lovely shots to ease out the pressure. Brunt ended the innings with a boundary to help Mumbai Indians win the title by 7 wickets with 3 balls to spare.

Kerr and Brunt added unbeaten 39 runs for the 4^th wicket. For her unbeaten 60 off 55 deliveries, Nat Sciver Brunt was named the player of the match award. Meg Lanning was awarded the Orange Cap award for a leading run-scorer, and Hayley Mathews the Purple Cap award for a leading wicket-taker.

Yastika Bhatia won the emerging player award for her brilliant performances along with various youngsters.

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