Harmanpreet Kaur Leads Mumbai Indians innings when it became evident that Harmanpreet Kaur was in complete control. After hammering two consecutive sixes through the cover-point region, Delhi Capitals skipper Meg Lanning reinforced the field by positioning Shafali Verma at extra cover. She then consulted her bowler, Jess Jonassen, likely strategizing the next delivery. Jonassen executed the plan perfectly, delivering a good-length ball angling into middle and leg. However, Harmanpreet expertly created room and threaded the ball past Verma’s outstretched dive, signaling trouble for DC.

Lanning had turned to Jonassen based on past matchups. Annabel Sutherland, who had dismissed Harmanpreet six times in 17 T20s before the WPL 2025 final, had just been taken apart with a six and a four. Banking on Jonassen—who had removed Harmanpreet 12 times in 23 T20 clashes—seemed like a calculated move. Yet, the MI captain manipulated the field with precision, orchestrating her team’s resurgence.

Harmanpreet Rescues MI After Early Setback

Mumbai faced an early crisis, losing both openers to Marizanne Kapp within the first five overs. Walking in at 14/2 inside the PowerPlay—only the third time she had done so in WPL 2025—Harmanpreet found herself in a challenging position. By the end of the PowerPlay, MI had crawled to 20/2, requiring their skipper and vice-captain to anchor the innings. Unlike her usual aggressive approach, Harmanpreet took time to settle in before launching a counterattack.

At 11 off 15 deliveries before the Sutherland over, she flipped the script, amassing 55 off her next 29 balls. This explosive shift caught Delhi off guard, even making Nat Sciver-Brunt, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, look like a supporting act at the other end. MI’s acceleration between the two timeouts was remarkable—plundering 59 runs in five overs, with Harmanpreet alone contributing 42.

Evolution of Harmanpreet’s Batting Approach

Harmanpreet Kaur Leads Mumbai Indians WPL 2025 starkly contrasts her performances in previous editions. Her strike rate in the first 10 balls of her innings this season stands at 146.83—significantly higher than 97.53 in WPL 2023 and 80 in WPL 2024. Additionally, her boundary percentage has surged from 12.34% and 9.09% in the past two seasons to an impressive 21.51% in 2025.

She attributes this newfound batting freedom to MI’s formidable lineup, which provides a safety net at No. 4. However, she remains the backbone of Mumbai’s batting, as evidenced by her 851-run tally—second only to Sciver-Brunt’s 1027 in MI’s history. Her ability to turn the tide in crucial moments underscores her significance to the team.

Learning from Past Failures

MI’s campaign in WPL 2024 ended in heartbreak, with a middle-order collapse against RCB in the Eliminator denying them back-to-back titles. Harmanpreet’s dismissal in the 18th over of a 135-run chase left MI needing 16 off 12 balls—an ask they ultimately failed to meet. In another league game that season, her early exit for a duck triggered a collapse, restricting MI to a below-par 113.

Reflecting on those setbacks, Harmanpreet publicly urged for stronger middle-order contributions. She also adapted her own game, ensuring she dictated terms rather than leaving too much to do in the final overs. A prime example was the Eliminator against UP Warriorz this season, where she smashed 36* off 12 balls to seal victory. In the final, she balanced caution and aggression masterfully to propel MI to 149.

Tactical Brilliance and Praise from Rivals

Harmanpreet’s deep understanding of the Brabourne track played a crucial role. Having played there thrice in four days leading up to the final, she expertly gauged the pitch and adjusted her game accordingly. MI head coach Charlotte Edwards lauded her captain’s tactical acumen:

“I think playing three games here helped. The first six overs always had something in the pitch, and Harman read the conditions brilliantly. She knew when to attack and which bowlers to target. It was a phenomenal innings.”

DC head coach Jonathan Batty also acknowledged Harmanpreet’s impact:

“She took the game to us. We bowled well, but she backed herself, took a few risks, and it paid off.”

Bowling Unit Complements Harmanpreet’s Brilliance

While Harmanpreet’s unbeaten 66 off 44 deliveries set up MI’s total, it was the disciplined bowling attack that ensured victory. Defending 149, MI’s bowlers made it seem like a 180-run target, maintaining relentless pressure to restrict DC to 141. Harmanpreet, proud of her team’s all-round effort, credited the bowlers for their execution.

But if you ask them, or anyone in the MI dugout, they’ll tell you—this victory belonged to their captain, the driving force behind Mumbai Indians’ second WPL title.