WPL 2023 Final: 'Feels like a dream', says emotional Harmanpreet Kaur as Mumbai Indians win inaugural season

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Harmanpreet Kaur was elated and emotional after leading Mumbai Indians (MI) to a title win in the inaugural season of the Women's Premier League (WPL) on Sunday. Mumbai defeated Delhi by seven wickets to win the WPL 2023 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

She said winning the first season of WPL was a dream-like feeling as players have long been waiting for this moment to arrive. Talking about the first three Delhi wickets courtesy full tosses, Harmanpreet called her team lucky adding that the rub of green is needed in sports.

"It was a great experience, we'd waited for it for many years. Really happy. Feels like a dream, not just for me but for everyone. So many people have asked about it and now we're here," the 34-year-old said during the post-match presentation ceremony.

"When you have such a long batting line-up, we need to express ourselves. Happy we did that and executed our plans. Staying positive was the biggest positive. We've been lucky with the full tosses but we need that when we play.

"It's a special moment for all of us, I've been playing for a long time. Credit to all the support staff. Look forward to next year now. We just talk about being positive and we executed our plans which is why we won today," she added.

Delhi Capitals were restricted to 131/9 in 20 overs after opting to bat first. Meg Lanning top-scored for the team with 35 runs off 29 balls but the other top-order batters failed miserably. A total of six Delhi batters got out for a single digit score.

Shafali Verma got out after scoring 11, Alice Capsey was out for a duck, Jemimah Rodrigues scored nine runs and Marizanne Kapp could score only 18 runs during his 21-ball stay. Issy Wong and Hayley Matthews picked three wickets apiece for Mumbai Indians.

In reply, Mumbai lost two quick wickets but a 72-run partnership between Nat Sciver-Brunt (60* off 55) and Harmanpreet Kaur (37) helped the side win the match with seven wickets and three balls remaining.