Mumbai Indians (MI) registered their fifth victory in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) with a narrow 9-run win over Gujarat Giants (GG) at the Brabourne Stadium on Monday. Harmanpreet Kaur’s brilliant half-century and top-notch bowling from Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews helped MI move to second place in the points table.
Mumbai Indians’ Innings
After Gujarat Giants’ captain Ashleigh Gardner won the toss and opted to bowl, MI suffered an early setback as Amelia Kerr was run out for 5, leaving them at 17/1.
Hayley Matthews (27) played a quick knock before falling to Priya Mishra, but a 59-run partnership between Nat Sciver-Brunt (38) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (54 off 33 balls) steadied the innings. Gardner then dismissed Sciver-Brunt with a caught-and-bowled effort.
A late cameo from Amanjot Kaur (27 off 15 balls), including three boundaries and a six, gave MI a strong finish. Kaur reached her half-century in just 31 balls, guiding MI to 179/6.
For Gujarat Giants, Tanuja Kanwar, Kashvee Gautam, Priya Mishra, and Ashleigh Gardner took one wicket each.
Gujarat Giants’ Chase
GG’s chase started poorly as Beth Mooney fell for 7, leaving them at 15/1. Ashleigh Gardner was dismissed for a duck, courtesy of Shabnim Ismail, and GG stumbled to 41/3.
Harleen Deol (24), Phoebe Litchfield (22), and Deandra Dottin (10) tried to steady the innings, but wickets kept falling.
However, Bharti Fulmali almost turned the game around with a blazing 61 off 25 balls. Just as GG looked dangerous, Kerr struck again at the right moment, shifting the game back in MI’s favor.
With Simran Shaikh (18 off 16) and Tanuja Kanwar (10 off 6) still fighting, Gujarat had a slim chance, but MI held their nerve, bowling them out for 170 to seal the win.
Key Performers
- Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front with a match-winning 54 off 33 balls.
- Matthews and Kerr were MI’s bowling stars, taking three wickets each.
- Bharti Fulmali’s explosive 61 off 25 balls almost turned the game for GG.
- Harmanpreet Kaur was named Player of the Match for her brilliant knock.
With this win, MI strengthens their chances of making the WPL playoffs.