By BIFF Sports
If you didn’t know Minnu Mani’s name before tonight, you do now.
At Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Delhi Capitals spinner delivered a breathtaking 3/17 to dismantle Mumbai Indians, paving the way for a 9-wicket rout in WPL 2025’s latest blockbuster.
Chasing Mumbai’s meek 123/9, DC’s Meg Lanning (60*) and Shafali Verma (43) made it look like child’s play, wrapping up the game in 14.3 overs.
But it was Minnu’s post-match press conference that turned heads, where she reportedly quipped, “Mumbai’s batting made it too easy for us—almost felt like a practice session.” Bold? Yes.
Controversial? Absolutely. A star-making moment? You bet.
The Spell That Broke Mumbai
Let’s start with the numbers: 3 wickets, 17 runs, 4 overs. Minnu Mani, the 25-year-old off-spinner from Kerala, didn’t just bowl—she toyed with Mumbai’s vaunted lineup.
Harmanpreet Kaur (22) and Hayley Matthews (22) offered flickers of resistance, but Minnu’s guile—loop, drift, and a knack for exploiting a turning pitch—sent them packing.
Alongside Jess Jonassen’s 3/25, she ensured Mumbai’s 123/9 was a total DC could chase blindfolded.
And chase they did, with Lanning and Verma treating MI’s bowlers like a warm-up act.
Minnu’s performance wasn’t a fluke. She’s been a domestic standout for years, and her INR 30 lakh signing by Delhi in 2023 hinted at potential.
Today, that potential erupted into stardom. Her ability to outthink batters on a big stage, against a team of MI’s caliber, marks her as a cornerstone for DC—and a nightmare for opponents.
The Presser: Confidence or Cockiness?
Then came the mic drop. “Mumbai’s batting made it too easy for us—almost felt like a practice session,” Minnu allegedly said, a smirk playing on her lips as she fielded questions.
X lit up instantly. “Minnu Mani just owned MI—queen energy!” one fan gushed. Another snapped, “Talk less, Minnu—let the game speak.”
Love it or hate it, her words cut deep, especially for a Mumbai side licking its wounds after a thrashing.
Was she wrong, though? Mumbai’s 123/9 was a shambles—nine wickets down, no batter crossing 22, and a collapse that left Shabnim Ismail’s pace helpless in the second innings.
Minnu’s jab could be read as cold, hard truth: MI’s batting handed DC the win on a silver platter.
But calling it a “practice session” against a team with Harmanpreet, Matthews, and a championship pedigree? That’s a flex—and a risk.
It’s the kind of statement that wins you fans and enemies in equal measure.
Delhi’s Quiet Assassin Steps Up
Minnu Mani isn’t your typical headline-grabber. She’s not Shafali Verma smashing sixes or Smriti Mandhana dazzling with cover drives.
She’s a grinder—unassuming, methodical, lethal. Tonight, she didn’t just take wickets; she exposed Mumbai’s frailties.
Harmanpreet’s tentative prod, Matthews’ misjudgment—each scalp was a lesson in spin bowling craft.
Her presser bravado aside, Minnu’s real statement was on the field: Delhi has a weapon, and she’s ready to dominate.
This win elevates DC beyond their star-heavy batting.
Lanning’s class and Verma’s fireworks get the plaudits, but Minnu’s control gave them a target they couldn’t muff.
At 124/1 in 14.3 overs, Delhi didn’t break a sweat—thanks to her. If DC are serious about the 2025 title, Minnu Mani might be the X-factor Mumbai once claimed with Nat Sciver-Brunt or Shabnim Ismail.
Mumbai’s reckoning
Minnu’s comments sting because they’re a mirror Mumbai can’t dodge. The defending champions of 2023 looked toothless tonight.
Harmanpreet, their talisman, couldn’t anchor. Matthews, their overseas ace, faltered early. The middle order?
A procession. Shabnim Ismail bowled her heart out, but 123 isn’t a total you defend in T20—not against a side as ruthless as Delhi. Minnu’s “practice session” barb isn’t just shade—it’s a challenge: fix this, or fade.
Mumbai’s aura has taken a hit. Last season, they were the team to beat; now, they’re the team getting schooled. Harmanpreet must rally her troops, but Minnu’s words might linger in the dressing room longer than the loss itself.
Is this a blip, or the start of a decline? Only time—and their next game—will tell.
The WPL’s New Villain—or Hero?
Minnu Mani’s presser quip could define her WPL arc. In a league craving personalities, she’s stepping into the spotlight—not with platitudes, but with swagger.
Women’s cricket thrives when players speak their minds, and Minnu’s doing just that. She’s not here to play nice; she’s here to win and let you know it.
Some will call her arrogant, others will crown her a queen. Both are right—it’s what makes her compelling.
The WPL, now in its third year, needs these moments.
It’s not enough to showcase talent; it must stir passion, rivalries, debates. Minnu vs. Mumbai could be the feud 2025 didn’t know it needed.
Imagine her facing off against Harmanpreet again, with this night’s words hanging in the air. That’s the stuff of sporting legend.
Looking Ahead
For Delhi, this is a launchpad. Minnu Mani, at 25, is hitting her prime—just as DC finds its groove. Her 3/17 isn’t a one-off; it’s a promise of more to come.
For Mumbai, it’s a gut check. Can they shrug off Minnu’s taunt and rediscover their fire?
Shabnim Ismail might have her own retort brewing after her presser, but the ball’s in MI’s court to respond—preferably with runs, not words.
Minnu Mani has arrived, folks. She’s not just a bowler; she’s a provocateur, a game-changer, a name you’ll hear all season.
Mumbai’s “practice session” was her coronation. The WPL just found its next big story—and Biff Sports is here for every twist. What say you, readers? Is Minnu the hero DC deserves, or the villain Mumbai needs to silence? Let’s hear it.
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