Mumbai Indians (MI) stormed into Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 final for the second time following their emphatic 47-run win over Gujarat Giants (GG) in the Eliminator match at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, March 13.
Mumbai Indians sail into WPL 2025 final
Mumbai Indians posted a formidable 213/4 in their allotted 20 overs riding on Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt's 77-run knocks, marking the third-highest total in WPL history. In reply, Gujarat Giants batters were no match to MI as they restricted to 166, thanks to Hayley Matthews' brilliant three fer.
Mumbai Indians will now face Delhi Capitals (DC) in the WPL 2025 final which is scheduled to be played on March 15.
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Gujarat Giants' failed chase
Gujarat's pursuit of the imposing target began disastrously, with their in-form opener, Beth Mooney, falling victim to Shabnim Ismail in the very first over, managing only 6 runs off 5 balls. Despite the early setback, Danielle Gibson attempted to maintain the scoring momentum, finding the boundary on several occasions.
However, Mumbai Indians compounded Gujarat's woes with a double strike. Harleen Deol was run out for 8 runs off 9 balls, followed by captain Ashleigh Gardner, who lost her stumps to Hayley Matthews for 8 runs off 4 balls, leaving Gujarat reeling at 43/3 in 5.4 overs.
Further misfortune struck when Gibson was also run out, contributing 34 runs off 24 balls, leaving Gujarat in a precarious position at 81/4. Phoebe Litchfield and Bharati Fulmali provided brief moments of resistance with cameos of 31 off 20 and 30 off 20 respectively, but their efforts proved insufficient to avert a substantial defeat for their team.
Mumbai Indians' run-fest
Mumbai Indians' innings began with an early setback, as Yastika Bhatia was dismissed for 15 runs off 14 balls, caught at mid-wicket off Danielle Gibson's bowling. However, the arrival of Nat Sciver-Brunt at the crease alongside Hayley Matthews marked a turning point, unleashing a display of aggressive batting that electrified the Brabourne Stadium. The pair forged a formidable 133-run partnership off just 71 balls for the second wicket, establishing a commanding position for Mumbai.
Matthews and Sciver-Brunt capitalised on numerous fielding errors by Gujarat, punishing them with a barrage of boundaries. Following their dismissals, captain Harmanpreet Kaur took charge, launching a relentless attack on the Gujarat bowlers. Her rapid 36 runs off 12 balls, featuring two fours and four sixes, propelled Mumbai to a substantial total of 213/4 in their 20 overs. This victory extended Mumbai Indians' undefeated streak against Gujarat to seven consecutive wins in WPL history. They now advance to the final, where they will face the Delhi Capitals on Saturday, March 15, in a highly anticipated rematch of the inaugural 2023 WPL final.