‘Couldn’t get over the line’: Meg Lanning after DC lose WPL final for third straight year | Cricket News

Mumbai Indians’ Nat Sciver-Brunt celebrates the wicket of Delhi Capitals’ Meg Lanning during the Women’s Premier League (WPL) final. (PTI)

Delhi Capitals faced their third consecutive defeat in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) final, losing to Mumbai Indians in another close encounter. This marked their second WPL final loss against Mumbai Indians, despite being in a strong position during the title match.
“We have had another good season, and unfortunately, we couldn’t get over the line. Congrats to Mumbai–you have been excellent through the season,” Lanning said during the presentation party.
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The Delhi team had a manageable target of 150 runs but struggled to build crucial partnerships. Their captain Meg Lanning acknowledged the team’s efforts while expressing disappointment.
“Chasing 150 was a pretty good target for us. One more partnership could have been enough, but proud of the team,” she remarked.
“There’s no right or wrong way to do it, performing on the night is important, and Mumbai were too good tonight. We haven’t been able to put our best performance in the final on the board, which is disappointing, but that’s cricket. It has just not happened for us,” she admitted.
“We are bitterly disappointed. We put ourselves in a good position but couldn’t finish it off,” she said.
Mumbai Indians clinched their second WPL title with an 8-run victory over Delhi Capitals at Mumbai. Harmanpreet Kaur’s team successfully defended 150 runs, denying Delhi their first championship.
Delhi’s chase began poorly with captain Meg Lanning departing for 13 and Shafali Verma scoring just 4. The team continued to lose wickets as Jess Jonassen (13) and Annabel Sutherland (2) fell, leaving them at 37/3.
Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 30 runs before being dismissed by Amelia Kerr, reducing Delhi to 66/5. Sarah Bryce’s run-out for 5 further complicated matters at 83/6 in 12.5 overs.
Marizanne Kapp (40) and Niki Prasad (25 not out) provided resistance with a 40-run partnership. However, Kapp’s dismissal by Nat Sciver-Brunt ended Delhi’s hopes.
The remaining batters, Shikha Pandey (0) and Minnu Mani (4), couldn’t contribute significantly. Nat Sciver-Brunt led the bowling attack with 3/30, while Amelia Kerr took 2/25.
Hayley Matthews, Shabnim Ismail, and Saika Ishaque each claimed one wicket as Mumbai successfully defended their title. Delhi finished at 141/9.
Earlier, Delhi Capitals chose to field after winning the toss. Mumbai’s innings started poorly with Hayley Matthews scoring 3 off 10 balls before being bowled by Marizanne Kapp.
Yastika Bhatia managed only 8 runs from 14 deliveries as Kapp struck again, leaving Mumbai at 14/2.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt recovered the innings with an 89-run partnership. Sciver-Brunt scored 30 before falling to Shree Charani.
Mumbai then lost quick wickets as Amelia Kerr (2) and Sajeevan Sajana (0) departed. Captain Harmanpreet played a crucial innings of 66 from 44 balls, including 9 boundaries and two sixes.
G Kamalini contributed 10 runs before departing. Amanjot Kaur (14 not out) and Sanskriti Gupta (8 not out) helped Mumbai reach 149/7.
Delhi’s bowling attack was led by Marizanne Kapp with 2/11. Jess Jonassen (2/26) and Shree Charani (2/43) also took important wickets, while Annabel Sutherland claimed 1/29.