There came a moment in the 11th over of Mumbai Indians’ innings when it was clear—Harmanpreet Kaur was in the zone. 👀 After back-to-back sixes off Jess Jonassen, Delhi Capitals’ skipper Meg Lanning adjusted her field, sending Shafali Verma to the extra cover boundary. A quick chat with Jonassen followed, likely plotting the next delivery.
Executed to perfection—a good-length ball sliding in on middle and leg. But Harmanpreet was ready. She moved swiftly, threading the gap expertly past Verma to the fence. It was a sign of things to come. ⚡
Evolution of a Fearless Leader 🔥
WPL 2025 saw a different Harmanpreet—more aggressive, more calculated. Her first-10-ball strike rate across 10 innings stood at an impressive 146.83, a stark contrast to 97.53 in 2023 and 80 in 2024. Her boundary percentage skyrocketed to 21.51% from 12.34% (2023) and 9.09% (2024).
While she attributes this to MI’s strong batting lineup, deep down, she knows—she is the heartbeat of this batting order. ❤️
Learning From The Past 📖
The scars of the 2024 Eliminator still lingered. MI had crumbled against RCB, failing to chase a modest 135 after Harmanpreet’s crucial 18th-over dismissal. Even in a league game against the same opponents, her duck triggered a middle-order collapse.
But 2025 was different. She had learned, adapted, and evolved. The Eliminator knock of 36 (12)* was proof of her renewed aggression, and in the final, she balanced tact with intent brilliantly.
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Mastering the Chase 🎯
When MI lost both openers to Marizanne Kapp by the fifth over, they were in deep trouble at 14/2. Harmanpreet walked in—only the third time she had batted in the PowerPlay this season. By the end of the PowerPlay, MI were 20/2, desperately needing a revival.
She started slow, taking time to settle. But once in, she flipped the switch. From 11 off 15 balls, she exploded to 66 off 44*, destroying DC’s plans. The counterattack was so swift, it made Orange Cap winner Nat Sciver-Brunt look like a mere spectator at the other end.
Between the two timeouts, MI added 59 runs in five overs—Harmanpreet scoring 42 of them. She took down Sutherland and Jonassen, both bowlers who had historically troubled her, and dictated terms like a true leader. 🏏💥
Coach’s Words: “She Read the Conditions Brilliantly” 🏆
Charlotte Edwards, MI’s head coach, summed it up best:
“She knew which bowlers to attack, read the pitch perfectly, and set us up for victory.”
On the other side, DC coach Jonathan Batty admitted:
“She took a few risks, but she backed herself, and it paid off.”
With the bowlers stepping up to defend 149, MI secured a thrilling eight-run victory, and Harmanpreet stood tall—the architect of MI’s triumph. 🏆💙
The Verdict: A Captain’s Knock for the Ages 👑
Harmanpreet’s 66 (44)* wasn’t just a match-winning knock; it was a statement—a testament to her leadership, adaptability, and hunger for success.
She turned the WPL final around, proving once again why she’s one of the best in the business. 💪🔥
