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“All of us fielded like tigers”

By Mumbai Indians

Two titles in three years. As Harmanpreet Kaur looked up to thank the heavens after bringing some more Gold to our Blue, we, the Paltan, are so proud to have her as our own. It’s title #12 coming into the MI Family, and 2025 has gotten off to the perfect start. First MI Cape Town in the SA20. Now Mumbai Indians in the WPL. WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!

The celebrations began on the ground, and with the emotions fresh, here’s what the Winning MI team members had to say in a post-match chat with the broadcaster:

Harmanpreet Kaur | WINNING CAPTAIN: It was a great team effort. Congrats to DC for the way they played, it was not easy for us. When you win you are really happy, we didn't start well but being there and doing the right things were important. It wasn't easy when I went to bat. I had the belief if I could rotate the strike, when Nat is there, I don't need to take too much pressure, she was in great touch and she was doing it for the team. We tried to keep it simple and easy, we took calculated risks and that helped us in the partnership. 150 was not a decent total for DC but pressure games it always looks like 180 and credit goes to our bowlers who gave us breakthroughs in the powerplay. Ismail and at the other end Nat and really happy with the way how the team bowled today. We had really good meetings, one to one meetings, we knew we have 4 experienced bowlers and it's a T20 - 4 overs is really important and today Saika was there she bowled those crucial 3 overs, before that Amanjot and in between Sanskriti. They knew their roles and I'm really happy and I enjoy playing with them. It means a lot, first season we tried to do everything right, when we met we discussed how things did not go right in the last season, we tried to keep things as simple as possible and as a team we did that. We got great support from the support staff and really happy how we did as a team.

Nat Sciver-Brunt | MVP of the season: So pleased. Been a great year for me in the WPL and coming on the back of a lot of cricket and so happy to be standing here as a winner. I will ride the highs whilst I can and there are some lows around the corner and that's cricket I guess. We have a great amount of allrounders in our team and some world-class players in our team who can stand up at any point of time. Very lucky to be part of that team. It's so special to be part of a franchise which has become family. It has been amazing and we are really really happy.

S Sajana: Very proud and very happy to be a part of this family. They keep supporting, the backing of each other, the energy, on and off the field - it is amazing. We could not make it (last season), but this season, we planned well, so much hard work went in behind the scenes, so we have to give this trophy to all those who worked behind us. (On young girls in Kerala looking at her like a role model) I am really proud of myself but I just want to tell people who are looking up to me to be positive and never give up, even if people try to pull you down. Keep believing in yourself and keep working.

Shabnim Ismail: My first MI final and so happy that we could conquer today. I came out here and when I bowled the first ball…Harry was expecting me to take the first ball. Extremely happy (when NSB picked Lanning and I dismissed Shafali) and we carried that momentum throughout. So happy to be a part of this historic team.

Yastika Bhatia: Incredible feeling. To do it front of a home crowd, no better feeling. I enjoy keeping against all the greats of the game and lucky to have them in my team, because I don't have to face them.

Jhulan Goswami | MI bowling coach and Mentor: (On Ismail) What a brilliant performance. When the team needed it, to come and produce a performance like this. She is a fighter, she wants to lead from the front. That is what we want as a group. When you are in the dugout, you cannot be calm but you have to pretend to be calm. We needed wickets in the powerplay, and that was the clear message. When that happened, we felt we were in a position to control the game, and that made our dugout absolutely calm. (On the Goswami-Edwards coaching partnership) It started after retirement, working with her. It was a great learning experience and every moment, I learn new things. A very tactical person, and she always keeps me on her toes. When we used to play as opponents, we learnt from her mentality and leadership, and here also, trying to do the same. This team has plenty of potential. We have depth in the batting, lot of international stars, lots of promising youngsters - it is a well-balanced team, and it is important to keep them in the right frame of mind and give them space to enjoy their game. (What impressed her the most in season three) Nat's commitment. We all know her partner is expecting (a baby). To come here, take leadership and dominate - it is not easy. And some youngsters who performed brilliantly for us.

Saika Ishaque: (On her wicket) I was not trying to take a wicket, I wanted to bowl a dot ball and the wicket came. Happy that I could do something for the team in the final.

Amelia Kerr: She (Kamalini) has been awesome. That is the beauty of this competition - you are going to see so many people come through and play on the big stage. Both very good players - world-class in what they do, so nice to contribute. (On winning T20 WC and WPL) It has been a good year for me, pretty special. Stoked that I get to share the dressing room with some great people. When all is said and done, you are celebrating with great people.

G Kamalini: Little nervous but I enjoyed a lot of batting. My family would also have enjoyed. It was my first six, so it was very exciting. All of them fielded like tigers in the field. (On her learnings) In the WPL, I learnt a lot on the mental side.

Sanskriti Gupta: As soon as we reached that score, we knew we would win it. I had confidence in my team. I have been playing cricket for the past ten years, so it did not feel like my first time. I want to feel this (winning feeling) every time.

Amanjot Kaur: Because we have won before, expectation can be a little more. But we have played big games before, so it did not feel like (a very different occasion). Our team meetings are simple. They had won before us, but today was a new day, new match. We had good depth and we would not leave this game for anyone (else to win).