Final, Mumbai, March 26, 2023, 07:30 PM
131/9(20.0ov)
134/3(19.3ov)
Mumbai Indians beat Delhi Capitals by 7 wickets
Harmanpreet Kaur now picks up the elusive Women's T20 League trophy and joins her team before lifting it high and up go the fireworks as well. The jubilant Mumbai players celebrate wildly and pose for a team photograph. This also marks the end of an eventful journey and the inaugural edition of the Women's T20 League ends up being a resounding success. The women have shown their class and provided a lot of joyful memories for us and it is now time for the men's tournament to begin. The cricketing party just doesn't seem to stop as the Indian T20 League is about to begin on the 31st of March. But for now, we bid adieu and hope that every one of you enjoyed our coverage of this wonderful tournament. Until next time, take care and goodbye!
Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the winning Mumbai team is now up for a chat. She says that it was a great experience and adds that everyone was waiting for this moment for many years. Feels like a dream for everyone including the crowd. Shares that she is proud that the team did so well. Mentions that we had a long batting lineup and it was about expressing ourselves with the bat. Adds that everyone took responsibility and staying positive was the key. States that the way they started was brilliant and everything went in their favour including the full tosses. Shares that it is a special moment for her and she had been waiting for this moment. Ends by crediting the support staff and says that she is looking forward to the next season.
Next up, the coach of Mumbai comes up to the stage and collects the winner's mementoes on behalf of her entire team and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur then collects the winner's cheque as well.
Meg Lanning, the skipper of Delhi now comes up for a chat. She says that there's no doubt they would have loved to win but credit must go to Mumbai for the way they played and she can't fault her team as they fought till the end. Adds that they didn't bat at their best and would have liked to get more runs on the board but it was a great effort from their bowlers and in the field as well. Says that early wickets were key and they had a good Powerplay and applauds Harmanpreet Kaur and Natalie Sciver-Brunt for the way they played. Says that it has been a memorable experience for her and she enjoyed being a part of the Delhi franchise and looks forward to the next edition.
Next up, the match officials come up to the stage to collect their mementoes. After this, the coach of Delhi walks up to the stage to collect the runners-up cheque on behalf of the entire team and Meg Lanning comes up to collect the runners-up shield as well.
Hayley Matthews is named the MOST VALUABLE PLAYER of the tournament. She scored 271 runs and took 16 wickets, ending up as the leading wicket-taker as well. She says that she is pretty happy to be able to contribute to the team's success. Adds that they had a great time throughout the tournament with a lot of ups and downs. Shares that she wants to consistently improve in both aspects of the game. Feels that the conditions in India suited her off-spin. Ends by saying that she is chuffed to take this award but she is happier to win the title with Mumbai.
Yastika Bhatia, Mumbai's opener and wicket-keeper is adjudged the EMERGING PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT!
Natalie Sciver-Brunt is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her match-winning effort with the bat. She mentions that it was really special and she is happy to stick around till the end and get the win. Says that Harmanpreet Kaur swept well and took the pressure off her and so di Amelia Kerr in the end. Mentions that in the final few overs, they gave a few too many boundaries but that happens. Adds that coming together with a really special group of girls at the Mumbai franchise was a special experience.
The Presentation ceremony...
Yastika Bhatia and Saika Ishaque are up next for an interview. Bhatia says that she cannot explain this feeling in words. Adds that she is very happy and proud of the team. Shares that they were relaxed before the final and it was about executing the plans. Saika Ishaque starts by saying this win feels like a dream come true. Mentions that they went to plan C which was to bowl dot balls. Ends by thanking the fans for their support.
Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr are in for a chat. Matthews says that this win feels crazy and it is amazing to be a part of history. Adds that there have been a lot of ups and downs and winning the Women's T20 League means a lot. Also says that the wicket assisted her and she is happy to get the win. Amelia Kerr starts by saying that it helps when Natalie Sciver-Brunt is out there. Shares that it was about keeping simple and sticking to the game plan. Mentions that Mumbai has been an amazing franchise and playing in front of the crowd has been incredible. Ends by saying that Charlotte Edwards is an absolute legend and winning it for her was special.
Time for a few interviews....
Earlier in the game, Meg Lanning won the toss and opted to bat first but after a breezy start, this turned out to be a poor decision as Issy Wong's two full tosses got Shafali Verma and Alice Capsey out within the space of just 3 deliveries. After this, Delhi found it hard to recover but there was hope when Meg Lanning and Marizanne Kapp were at the crease. A mix up cost Lanning her wicket and Delhi soon started to crumble, going from 73/3 to 79/9. Issy Wong picked up three wickets in total with Hayley Matthews bowling a few lovely deliveries and she picked up three wickets as well. Amelia Kerr too chipped in with a couple of wickets. Mumbai looked set to bowl out Delhi for 80-85 runs but Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadav had different plans as they put on a 50-plus stand to take Delhi to 131, giving them half a chance at glory. It was a valiant effort with the bowl by Delhi but they simply could not pick up regular wickets and the knocks of Harmanpreet Kaur, Amelia Kerr and especially Natalie Sciver-Brunt were enough to chase down the target.
Delhi, at one point, seemed to have no chance at all but Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadav gave them the required momentum with a record partnership for the final wicket and that helped them when they came out to bowl. Marizanne Kapp bowled a tidy spell up top but it was Radha Yadav who got the early breakthrough and then Jess Jonassen got rid of Hayley Matthews. The spinners kept on the pressure but there were a few loose deliveries as well. Meg Lanning was forced to bowl out her two experienced seamers in order to stem the flow of runs which left the crucial final two overs to be bowled by the spinners. This was the difference in the end as both Jess Jonassen and Alice Capsey were hit for boundaries at crucial times. They will however be proud of the effort they gave to take the game so deep.
Mumbai must have felt at one point if the death bowling had cost them the game but two iced-cool customers in the face of Natalie Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr took them over the line. It wasn't an ideal start for them as they lost their openers inside the Powerplay and their scoring rate was slow as well. It was then a steady stand between skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Natalie Sciver-Brunt worth 72 runs that put Mumbai in command. Their scoring rate was still a bit low and Kaur got run out at the wrong time. Natalie Sciver-Brunt though showed her class and found the fence when required with Amelia Kerr coming in and simply taking all the pressure off with a couple of lusty blows. In the end, it was a fine effort and Mumbai came through in a pressure situation.
What a grandstand finish to a humdinger of a game and in the end, it is MUMBAI WHO ARE CHAMPIONS! This game had it all, nerves, heartbreaks, ecstasy and utter jubilation. Delhi gave it their all and almost made a stellar comeback but in front of a buoyant home crowd, Mumbai came good under pressure and finish as the winners of the inaugural Women's T20 League. Fireworks go off inside the Braboune stadium as the Mumbai players flood on the field to celebrate, unreal scenes.
In over# 20
4
2
1
Alice Capsey 34/0(3.3)
19.3
4
FOUR! THERE IT IS! Mumbai are the inaugural winners of the Women's T20 League! Alice Capsey bowls a low full toss outside off, Natalie Sciver-Brunt moves to the off side early and paddles this one past the keeper for a boundary to get Mumbai over the line. Mumbai win by 7 wickets!
19.2
2
Short again and on middle, Natalie Sciver-Brunt stays on the back foot and places it in front of deep mid-wicket. Comes back with ease for a couple of runs.