Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews Propel Mumbai Indians to WPL 2025 Final | Cricbuzz.com

**WPL 2025: Sciver-Brunt and Matthews Propel Mumbai Indians to Grand Finale**

*By Cricbuzz Staff*

In a commanding performance, Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt powered Mumbai Indians into the final of the Women’s Premier League 2025, setting up a clash with the perennial finalists Delhi Capitals. Matthews showcased her all-round brilliance, scoring a blistering 77 off 50 balls and taking a crucial wicket within the PowerPlay to destabilize the Gujarat Giants early in their chase. Partnering with Sciver-Brunt, she forged a formidable 133-run stand—the highest of the tournament for the franchise—leading Mumbai to an impressive 213/4 in their allotted 20 overs. The Giants, unable to recover from early setbacks, concluded their innings 47 runs short of the target.

The Giants were marred by a series of fielding errors throughout the season, errors which reemerged at a critical juncture. They dropped Matthews twice, once at 5 and again at 57, and offered additional lifelines to both Sciver-Brunt, on 73, and to Harmanpreet Kaur, on 2. Sciver-Brunt found minimal advancement, adding just four more runs before being dismissed, but Kaur seized the opportunity, punishing the bowling attack with a 12-ball 36 studded with two boundaries and four sixes.

Mumbai’s aggressive finish—89 runs in the final six overs—was anchored by the second-wicket partnership between Matthews and Sciver-Brunt. Following Yastika Bhatia’s premature departure for 15 off 14, the pair mounted a robust post-PowerPlay recovery, fostering MI’s innings. The absence of Deandra Dottin, who incurred an injury during warm-ups, was felt profoundly by the Giants. Her replacement, debutant Danielle Gibson, achieved the first breakthrough, but the Giants’ fielding lapses and ineffective bowling compounded their challenges.

By the 11th over, Mumbai ascended to 100/1, marked by Matthews’ ascent to her half-century off 36 deliveries, celebrated with a six. Despite an attempt by Gardner to quell the momentum by reintroducing Gibson in the 15th, Sciver-Brunt capitalized on familiar conditions, reaching her half-century with a six, fueling a late acceleration. Both celebrated their fifty milestones before departing for identical scores of 77, paving the way for Kaur to amplify the final total past 200.

Mumbai displayed exceptional fielding discipline, as evidenced by Matthews’ diving catch to dismiss Beth Mooney and a sharp fielding maneuver that resulted in Harleen Deol’s run out. Matthews delivered a decisive blow by bowling out Gardner, dealing a severe blow to the Giants’ chase.

Without Dottin’s presence, the Giants’ daunting pursuit suffered, despite a spirited start from Gibson, who was run out after a 24-ball 34. Phoebe Litchfield and Bharti Fulmali endeavored to sustain the chase amid challenging dewy conditions. Yet the rising required rate demanded risky play, leading to Litchfield’s stumping off Amelia Kerr for a 20-ball 31. Fulmali’s dismissal at Matthews’ hands left the Giants needing 72 off 27 balls. Despite late efforts from Simran Shaikh (17 off 8) and Tanuja Kanwar (16 off 12), the Giants succumbed, bowled out for 166.

**Brief Scores:**
Mumbai Indians 213/4 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 77, Hayley Matthews 77) defeated Gujarat Giants 166 in 19.2 overs (Danielle Gibson 34; Hayley Matthews 3-31, Amelia Kerr 2-28) by 47 runs.

© Cricbuzz

*Tags:* Women’s Premier League 2025, Women’s Premier League Eliminator

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