Nat Sciver-Brunt Makes History with WPL's First-Ever Century, Powers Mumbai Indians to 199

The Women's Premier League witnessed a historic moment on Monday as England's Nat Sciver-Brunt became the tournament's first-ever centurion, powering Mumbai Indians to an imposing 199 for 4 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Vadodara.

Breaking the 90s Curse

The WPL had developed an unfortunate trend this season, with big-name batters falling agonizingly short of the three-figure mark. Smriti Mandhana was dismissed on 96, while Sophie Devine fell on 95 – near-misses that had left fans wondering when the tournament would finally see its first century.

Sciver-Brunt was acutely aware of this pattern and was determined not to add her name to the list of those who stumbled at the final hurdle.

"Yeah, obviously I'd seen a few players get out in the 90s, so I didn't want to replicate that. But I also wanted to get as many runs as possible for the team. I'm really pleased we could get up to that total, and personally really happy as well."

A Masterclass in Partnership Building

Walking to the crease with Mumbai Indians under early pressure at 16 for 1 in the third over, Sciver-Brunt immediately set about rebuilding the innings. What followed was a batting masterclass that showcased her ability to construct partnerships while maintaining an attacking approach.

The Matthews Connection

The England all-rounder found the perfect ally in West Indies captain Hayley Matthews. Together, they compiled a devastating 131-run stand off just 73 deliveries – a partnership that effectively ended the contest as a competition.

"Hayley will be so pleased to come back after a pretty long injury lay-off and get that kind of score. I really enjoy batting with her when I get the chance."

Finishing Flourish with Harmanpreet

With the platform set, Sciver-Brunt then combined with captain Harmanpreet Kaur for a brisk 42 off 25 balls, ensuring Mumbai Indians reached a total that would prove beyond RCB's reach.

The Celebration That Touched Hearts

Sciver-Brunt brought up her maiden T20 hundred in the final over, chipping Shreyanka Patil over the infield to reach the milestone. What followed was a celebration laden with personal meaning – she removed her helmet and acknowledged the crowd with a distinctive "T" gesture.

The celebration was a tribute to her son, Theodore Michael, and a message to her wife, Katherine Sciver-Brunt, who was watching from home.

"Just a little nod to home. Katherine is obviously watching – well, hopefully. She's actually a really nervous watcher, so she's probably not watching, but she wanted a 'T' and she wanted me to get three figures, so here we go."

Career Milestone Achieved

"I guess it's my first T20 hundred, so I'm really happy to get over that milestone, and hopefully it's not the last."

The century also saw the England star reclaim the top spot on the WPL's season run charts, cementing her status as one of the most consistent performers in the tournament.

What This Means for Mumbai Indians

With their star all-rounder in devastating form, Mumbai Indians will be confident of making a deep run in WPL 2025-26. Sciver-Brunt's ability to anchor innings while accelerating when needed makes her invaluable in the middle order, and her partnership chemistry with Matthews provides a formidable combination for opponents to contend with.

Looking Ahead

As the WPL continues to grow in stature, individual milestones like this first-ever century add to the tournament's legacy. Sciver-Brunt's historic knock will be remembered not just for breaking new ground, but for the manner in which it was achieved – with composure under pressure, clinical execution, and a celebration that reminded everyone of the human stories behind the statistics.

For Mumbai Indians, the momentum from this comprehensive victory could prove pivotal as the business end of the tournament approaches. And for Sciver-Brunt, this knock may well be the first of many WPL centuries to come.