What is biggest reason for Delhi Capitals' loss in the WPL 2025 final?

Delhi Capitals faced a crushing defeat in the final of the WPL 2025, losing to Mumbai Indians by just eight runs at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday. The Capitals had put up a commendable fight, but ultimately fell short in the high-pressure final. Mumbai Indians, after being put in to bat, struggled to get going against the tight bowling attack of the Capitals. Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, and N Charani were the standout performers, each picking up two wickets as they restricted Mumbai to a modest total of 149/7 in their allotted 20 overs. The Delhi bowlers kept the pressure on throughout, ensuring Mumbai could not break free, but the target still proved to be a tricky one for their batters.

In response, Delhi Capitals, who were making their third consecutive appearance in a WPL final, were unable to build substantial partnerships. Mumbai’s bowlers, led by some sharp spells, managed to stifle the Delhi batting lineup. Despite a valiant effort, Delhi was restricted to just 141/9 in their 20 overs, falling short by a narrow margin. The defeat marked another heartbreak for the Capitals, who had hoped to claim the title after being runners-up in the previous seasons. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, clinched the title in front of their home crowd, ending Delhi’s dream of securing their first WPL trophy.

Delhi Capitals Women Head Coach Jonathan Batty said, "We’ve had three great seasons, finishing at the top of the table. We’ve played some exceptional cricket, but everyone is hurt right now. 99% of the time, you back yourself to chase 150 on that wicket, but full credit to Mumbai for the way they bowled and executed their plans."

Batty continued, "It was such a tight game to lose by just eight runs, which is effectively two boundaries. We lost by two balls in the end. It could have gone either way. There’s always a winner and a loser, and unfortunately, we ended up on the losing side for the third time."

Mumbai Indians had a rocky start in the final, losing a couple of quick wickets early on. However, a solid partnership between captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt helped steady their innings. The duo put together a crucial 89-run stand, which brought Mumbai back into the game after the initial setbacks. Harmanpreet Kaur played an impressive knock, scoring 66 runs off 44 balls. Her aggressive yet controlled innings anchored the Mumbai batting effort, and she played some brilliant shots to keep the scoreboard ticking. Nat Sciver-Brunt, although not as explosive, made a valuable contribution with a steady 30 runs off 28 balls, ensuring the innings did not lose momentum.

Together, Kaur and Sciver-Brunt provided the much-needed stability, helping Mumbai reach a competitive total of 149/7 in their 20 overs. Their partnership was vital in lifting Mumbai from the early collapse and setting a foundation for the rest of the batting line-up to build upon. Despite the early wickets, their contribution ensured that Mumbai posted a challenging total for Delhi Capitals to chase down in the final.

"Nat Sciver-Brunt had an outstanding tournament, scoring over 500 runs, and Harmanpreet was fantastic. Her innings made the difference between the two teams today," Batty concluded.