Harmanpreet’s Tactical Brilliance: Deciphering MI Skipper’s Impactful Performance in the WPL Final | Cricbuzz.com

**WPL 2025: Harmanpreet Kaur’s Mastery Propels Mumbai Indians to Glory in the Final**
**By Purnima Malhotra**

In a display of captaincy brilliance, Harmanpreet Kaur orchestrated a remarkable turnaround in the WPL 2025 final, guiding Mumbai Indians to a triumphant victory. With a poised and commanding knock of 66 off 44 deliveries, the MI skipper showcased her expertise and strategic acumen in leveling the contest against Delhi Capitals.

A defining moment of Harmanpreet’s innings emerged during the 11th over of Mumbai’s innings, where her tenacity and skill were on full display. Despite Delhi Capitals skipper Meg Lanning’s tactical decision to bolster the cover-point region with Shafali Verma on the boundary, Harmanpreet deftly maneuvered the ball with precision, challenging Jess Jonassen’s well-calibrated delivery aimed on middle and leg. Masterfully placing the ball beyond Verma’s reach, Harmanpreet sent a clear message of dominance to the Delhi side.

Lanning’s strategy to introduce Jonassen, banking on past successes against Harmanpreet, initially seemed astute. However, Harmanpreet’s ability to counter the strategy under pressure reflected her comprehensive understanding of the game dynamics, flipping the narrative in Mumbai’s favor.

Stepping in at 14/2 following early strikes by Marizanne Kapp, Harmanpreet had entered the fray during the PowerPlay, a scenario unfamiliar to her in this tournament’s context. With MI reeling at 20/2 post the PowerPlay, Harmanpreet realized the need for composure rather than her characteristically swift scoring. Once acclimatized, she unleashed an aggressive assault on the DC bowlers.

Transforming her stance from a cautious 11 off 15 balls to an aggressive 55 off the subsequent 29, Harmanpreet’s counteroffensive was both timely and strategic. Her partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt, the eminent holder of the tournament’s Orange Cap, saw her dominate proceedings, while the duo accumulated a crucial 59 runs between timeouts, outclassing DC’s defenses.

Throughout this WPL season, Harmanpreet has often embraced an aggressive approach from the onset. Her improved strike rate and boundary percentage this season reflect her enhanced capabilities and strategic freedom in MI’s batting order, where she ranks second only to Sciver-Brunt in all-time run tallies for the team. Despite previous setbacks, notably a crucial elimination and league match losses due to middle-order collapses, Harmanpreet’s drive to fortify her approach emerged from those critical reflections.

As highlighted in her standout performance during the Eliminator, where she blazed a 12-ball 36*, Harmanpreet’s adaptability and tactical awareness were on full display in the final. Leveraging her intimate knowledge of the Brabourne Stadium conditions, honed over recent matches, she masterfully alternated between caution and aggression, propelling MI to a match-winning total of 149.

MI head coach Charlotte Edwards praised Harmanpreet’s capacity to tactically read the game and exploit conditions to her advantage, crediting the skipper’s magnificent innings for setting the tone for victory. Jonathan Batty, DCC’s coach, also acknowledged Harmanpreet’s audacious yet calculated risk-taking, which shifted the momentum decisively in MI’s favor.

Coupled with an exceptional bowling performance, Mumbai Indians successfully defended their modest target, limiting DC to 141 and securing their championship title. Harmanpreet aptly commended her bowlers for elevating the pressure to make 149 seemingly insurmountable to their opponents, underscoring the skipper’s pivotal role in instilling belief and determination throughout the squad.

In conclusion, Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy excellence and tactical insight were instrumental in securing MI’s triumph in the WPL 2025 final, a testament to her irreplaceable presence at the heart of the team’s journey to reclaim their crown.

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**Tags:** Mumbai Indians Women, Harmanpreet Kaur, Women’s Premier League 2025