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Mumbai Indians Crush UP Warriorz to Claim Top Spot in WPL 2025

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On February 26, 2025, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru played host to a one-sided affair in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) as Mumbai Indians (MI) thrashed UP Warriorz (UPW) by 8 wickets in Match 11 of the 2025 season. With this commanding victory, MI climbed to the top of the standings with six points, showcasing their dominance with both bat and ball in a performance spearheaded by the sensational Nat Sciver-Brunt.

UP Warriorz Falter After a Promising Start

UP Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to set a challenging total on a batting-friendly Bengaluru surface. The innings began with a bang, thanks to Grace Harris, who smashed a blistering 45 off just 26 balls, including six fours and two sixes. Partnering with Vrinda Dinesh (33 off 30), Harris powered UPW to a strong 79/1 by the ninth over, raising hopes of a formidable score.
 
However, the tide turned dramatically as Mumbai’s bowlers, led by Nat Sciver-Brunt, triggered a stunning collapse. Sciver-Brunt’s spell of 3/18 dismantled the Warriorz middle order, dismissing key batters like Deepti Sharma and Tahlia McGrath cheaply. Young spinner Sanskriti Gupta complemented her perfectly, picking up 2/11 in a twin strike that saw UPW slump from 81/1 to 123/7. Shabnim Ismail (2/33) added late blows, including the scalp of Sophie Ecclestone, as UPW limped to 142/9 in their 20 overs. The late resistance from Uma Chetry (8 not out) and Kranti Goud (4 not out) couldn’t mask the batting meltdown that saw eight wickets fall for just 54 runs.

Sciver-Brunt and Matthews Make Light Work of the Chase

Chasing 143, Mumbai Indians were rocked early when Yastika Bhatia fell for 6 to Deepti Sharma in the third over, leaving them at 11/1. But what followed was a masterclass in batting from Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews, who stitched together a match-defining 133-run partnership for the second wicket. Sciver-Brunt, in scintillating form, remained unbeaten on 75 off 44 balls, her knock laced with 13 boundaries. Matthews, though slower to get going, played the perfect foil, finishing with 59 off 50 before holing out to Sophie Ecclestone (1/29) with victory in sight.
 
The pair’s aggression was on full display in the 15th over, bowled by Grace Harris, which went for 22 runs—featuring a no-ball four, a six off a free hit, and two more boundaries from Matthews. Sciver-Brunt reached her fifty with a boundary-laden assault, while Matthews brought up hers with a lofted shot that signaled MI’s intent to finish early. With just 7 runs needed, Ecclestone dismissed Matthews, but captain Harmanpreet Kaur (4 not out) walked in to hit the winning boundary, sealing the chase in just 17 overs.

Key Performances and Turning Points

Nat Sciver-Brunt was the undisputed star, earning the Player of the Match award for her all-round brilliance—3 wickets to restrict UPW and an unbeaten 75 to lead the chase. Her ability to switch gears with the bat after a disciplined bowling spell underlined her status as one of the world’s premier all-rounders. Matthews’ 59 provided stability, while Gupta’s 2/11 marked her as a rising star in MI’s spin department.
 
For UP Warriorz, Grace Harris’ explosive start promised much, but the failure of the middle order—Deepti Sharma (5), Tahlia McGrath (1), and Shweta Sehrawat (3)—to capitalize left them vulnerable. Ecclestone and Deepti tried to stem the flow with the ball, but MI’s batting firepower proved too much.

Implications for the Tournament

This win marked Mumbai Indians’ third consecutive victory after an opening loss, propelling them to the top of the WPL 2025 points table with six points from four games. Sciver-Brunt’s 252 runs in the tournament so far also made her the leading run-scorer, overtaking Ellyse Perry. For UP Warriorz, the defeat—their third in five matches—kept them in fourth place with four points, raising questions about their batting depth despite recent back-to-back wins.

Looking Ahead

Mumbai Indians will look to maintain their momentum as they head into the next phase of the tournament, with their balanced squad firing on all cylinders. UP Warriorz, meanwhile, face a quick turnaround before their next match, needing to address their batting frailties to stay in contention. As the Bengaluru leg nears its end, the WPL 2025 continues to deliver thrilling cricket, with MI emerging as early favorites.
 
In a night of clinical execution, Mumbai Indians proved why they remain a powerhouse in women’s cricket, while UP Warriorz were left to rue a collapse that snatched defeat from the jaws of promise.
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