Mumbai Indians (MI) extended their dominance over Gujarat Giants (GG) with a crucial nine-run victory in their penultimate league match, moving closer to a direct spot in the WPL 2025 final.
The limited home crowd witnessed some exhilarating strokeplay—MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur notched her third half-century in four innings at the Brabourne Stadium, while Bharti Fulmali’s blistering maiden WPL fifty off just 22 balls gave MI a serious scare.
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MI Maintain Unbeaten Streak Against GG, Move Closer to Final Spot
In their first home game of the season, Mumbai Indians (MI) secured a hard-fought win as Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amanjot Kaur provided crucial support to skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, guiding MI to 179 for 6. Gujarat Giants (GG) struggled in the chase, with the absence of dew making conditions tougher. Amelia Kerr and Shabnim Ismail led the bowling attack, sharing five wickets, with Ismail delivering key blows by dismissing Ashleigh Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield. GG eventually fell short at 170 for 9, marking only the third successful target defense in 19 matches this season.
This victory extended MI’s unbeaten run against GG in the WPL to 6-0 and took them to ten points, level with Delhi Capitals but just behind on net run rate (0.298 vs. DC’s 0.396). With one match remaining against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in less than 24 hours, MI must win to secure the top spot and a direct ticket to the final. The second-placed team will face GG in the eliminator.
Post-match, GG coach Michael Klinger revealed in the press conference that the team had aimed to chase the target within 18 overs to claim the top spot but ultimately fell short.
Fulmali Blitz Gives MI a Mighty Scare
Gujarat Giants (GG) found themselves in deep trouble at 70 for 5 in the 11th over, with Deandra Dottin narrowly escaping a dropped chance before Bharti Fulmali stepped in. Wasting no time, Fulmali took on Nat Sciver-Brunt, smashing three boundaries in an over—one through square off-side, another over cover, and a third through square leg. It’s rare for a batter to outshine Dottin and unsettle the opposition, but Fulmali’s ferocious hitting did just that.
GG’s hopes took a hit when Amelia Kerr bowled Dottin, leaving them with a steep 88 needed off 41 balls. However, Fulmali kept the chase alive, launching Kerr over long-on before repeating the feat against Amanjot Kaur. She dominated Kerr, scoring 24 runs off just nine balls, including a blistering sequence of 6, 6, 4 that propelled her to a rapid 22-ball fifty. She eventually fell in the same over, leaving GG with 38 required off 18 deliveries.
The equation narrowed to 23 off 12 after Simran Shaikh and Tanuja Kanwar took Hayley Matthews for 15 runs in an over. Despite the late drama, Mumbai Indians (MI) held their nerve in a tense finish to clinch their fifth win in seven matches.
Opening Woes Persist for MI
For the second consecutive match, Mumbai Indians (MI) opted to open with Amelia Kerr after being put in to bat. Facing left-arm spinner Tanuja Kanwar first up, Kerr managed a boundary off Kashvee Gautam but struggled to rotate the strike. Her innings ended in frustration when she pushed one straight to Ashleigh Gardner at mid-on and set off for a run, only to be run out.
It was Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt who injected momentum into MI’s powerplay. Making use of the short square boundaries—measuring 58m and 52m—they cleverly moved around the crease to find scoring opportunities. Matthews took on her West Indies teammate Deandra Dottin, launching a six over deep square leg in the opening over before executing an aerial sweep against Kanwar for another maximum. Sciver-Brunt joined in, sweeping Kanwar through short fine leg, as MI reached 44 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.
The Kaurs Propel MI to a Strong Finish
Legspinner Priya Mishra struck soon after the powerplay, dismissing Hayley Matthews caught behind. However, MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur wasted no time settling in, starting aggressively with a reverse shot past short third off Mishra before taking on Meghna Singh in her only over. With MI’s run rate hovering in the early sevens, Harmanpreet and Nat Sciver-Brunt kept the momentum steady, stitching together a crucial 59-run stand off 40 balls before Ashleigh Gardner provided the breakthrough.
Amanjot Kaur then stepped in at No. 5 for only the second time in the WPL and made an immediate impact. She drove Deandra Dottin elegantly through covers before unleashing an onslaught against Kashvee Gautam, her long-time training partner, smashing her for 4, 4, 6 in a single over. Although Gautam had the final say by dismissing Amanjot for a quickfire 27 off 15 balls, the 33-run stand in just 19 balls had already done its damage.
Harmanpreet brought up her half-century in just 31 deliveries as MI finished strong, adding 55 runs in the final four overs—the exact equation GG needed in their chase.
Early Wickets Derail Giants’ Chase
Gujarat Giants (GG) made a tactical change by benching the struggling Dayalan Hemalatha and promoting Kashvee Gautam as an opener alongside Beth Mooney. However, the move backfired instantly as Mooney fell for a first-ball duck, lobbing a catch to cover off Hayley Matthews. Gautam, usually a big-hitter in the lower order, looked completely out of depth against Shabnim Ismail’s raw pace and swing. She struggled to find rhythm, managing just 9 off 12 balls with nine dot deliveries by the end of the fifth over. Ismail even sent a 120kph short ball whizzing past her before Gautam was eventually stumped off Sanskriti Gupta’s offspin in the final over of the powerplay.
GG’s troubles deepened when Ismail struck again two balls later, dismissing Ashleigh Gardner for a two-ball duck with a sharp low catch at slip—delivering a significant blow to the chase. Harleen Deol tried to counterattack, smashing five boundaries against spin, including three in a row off Matthews. However, her promising knock was cut short when she misread a googly from Amelia Kerr and was trapped lbw.
At 70 for 5 in the 11th over, GG seemed to be heading for a collapse, but Bharti Fulmali’s late blitz kept them in the hunt, preventing an even more one-sided defeat.
FAQs
How did Mumbai Indians secure a crucial win against Gujarat Giants?
Mumbai Indians (MI) continued their dominance over Gujarat Giants (GG) with a nine-run victory, keeping their hopes alive for a direct entry into the WPL 2025 final.
Who were the standout performers in MI’s innings?
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front with a quickfire half-century, while Amanjot Kaur provided a late flourish. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews also made valuable contributions.
How did Bharti Fulmali almost pull off a stunning chase for GG?
Coming in at 70 for 5, Fulmali smashed a blistering 22-ball fifty, taking on MI’s spinners, including Amelia Kerr. However, her dismissal proved to be the turning point.
What went wrong for Gujarat Giants in the powerplay?
GG lost key wickets early, including Beth Mooney on the first ball and Ashleigh Gardner for a two-ball duck. Kashvee Gautam, opening for the first time, struggled against Shabnim Ismail’s pace.
What does this win mean for MI’s WPL 2025 campaign?
With this victory, MI moved to 10 points, level with Delhi Capitals, but must win their final league game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru to secure a direct spot in the final.
