WPL 2024/25 Final Match Preview: DC-W vs MI-W

In the WPL final on March 15, 2025, the Mumbai Indians (MI) face the Delhi Capitals (DC) at Brabourne Stadium. Both teams boast strong line-ups, with DC advancing smoothly to the final, while MI battled through three matches in four days. DC’s strengths include captain Meg Lanning’s recent form and solid top-order performances, though their middle order needs improvement. MI excels in powerplay bowling and enjoys a favorable home-ground advantage. Notable players to watch include Jemimah Rodrigues and Hayley Matthews. Both teams seek their first title victory, heightening the stakes for this crucial match.

Who is competing

Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Delhi Capitals (DC)
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, March 15, 2025

What to anticipate: Two formidable line-ups

Are we back in 2023? MI and DC, two consistently strong teams with star-studded rosters, clash once again in the WPL final. While DC has sailed smoothly into the final this season, MI arrives battle-tested, having navigated a challenging path by competing in three matches across four days to secure their spot.

DC has excelled in various aspects and has consistently made the right selection choices throughout the season. Their captain Meg Lanning found her form late in the tournament, Shafali Verma has been a consistent run-scorer at the top, and the decision to elevate Jess Jonassen to the No. 3 position has yielded positive results. However, for DC to pose a greater threat, they will need their middle order to perform better. Their middle order (positions 4 to 7) has an average of only 17.50, the lowest this season, with a strike rate of 116.66, the second-lowest among all teams.

MI’s lineup is equally filled with power and capability. While powerplay bowling has been one of DC’s highlights, MI has outperformed them in this area. DC’s bowlers have claimed 50 wickets at 23.84 in this phase, whereas MI has taken 61 wickets at 22.68.

However, MI will be competing at their home venue, where they have only lost once in seven matches, giving them an advantage. Meanwhile, DC has enjoyed a restful seven-day break and will step onto the field without the anxiety of fighting for a final spot. After two heartbreaking final losses, could this be their moment?

Team updates: Who will open with Matthews for MI?

MI recently moved Amelia Kerr to the opening position, resulting in Yastika Bhatia dropping down the order for several games. Yastika managed to score quickly in her new role, but Kerr, who has struggled for form, failed to capitalize on her chances. The order reverted to its previous formation in the Eliminator against Gujarat Giants (GG), but neither player made a significant impact. Will MI again switch their roles to optimize Yastika’s performance?

MI also included left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque in place of Parunika Sisodia for the Eliminator. Will they choose Ishaque again for the final after she bowled only one over against GG?

Mumbai Indians (predicted): 1 Hayley Matthews, 2 Amelia Kerr, 3 Nat Sciver-Brunt, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Amanjot Kaur, 6 Yastika Bhatia (wk), 7 S Sajana, 8 G Kamalini, 9 Sanskriti Gupta, 10 Shabnim Ismail, 11 Saika Ishaque

DC, last seen in action on March 7, are unlikely to make any alterations to their line-up.

Delhi Capitals (predicted): 1 Meg Lanning (capt), 2 Shafali Verma, 3 Jemimah Rodrigues, 4 Annabel Sutherland, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Jess Jonassen, 7 Sarah Bryce (wk), 8 Niki Prasad, 9 Minnu Mani, 10 Shikha Pandey, 11 Titas Sadhu

Key players: Jemimah Rodrigues and Hayley Matthews

Jemimah Rodrigues has had a challenging season with the bat, managing only one fifty (which came in a loss) across six innings, including three single-digit scores and one duck. She has dropped to No. 4 to make room for Jonassen at the top, which has worked well. In her hometown and in the tournament’s most crucial match, Rodrigues aims to leave a stronger mark. However, her fielding performance has been consistently impressive throughout the season.

Hayley Matthews found her best form with the bat in the Eliminator, but her bowling remains a standout feature throughout the tournament. Currently, she leads the wicket tally with 17 wickets at an average of 15.88, excelling in all phases of the competition as evidenced by her performance in the Eliminator. In the 2023 final, Matthews delivered an extraordinary spell of 3 for 5 in her four overs, claiming Jonassen’s wicket and playing a pivotal role in MI’s championship victory at the Brabourne Stadium.

Sciver-Brunt is just three runs short of becoming the first player to reach 1000 WPL runs. She is also seven runs away from becoming the first player in the WPL to achieve 500 runs in a single season.

Rodrigues, Jonassen, and Shikha Pandey will be competing in their fifth tournament final together across different franchise leagues in the past two years.

Lanning has won all international titles during her career. In 2024, she captured her first franchise title with London Spirit in the Women’s Hundred. The WBBL will be the only remaining tournament for Lanning to win if DC secures victory on Saturday.

Sruthi Ravindranath is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo