Harmanpreet Kaur's Mumbai Indians (MI) eked out a hard-fought nine-run win over Gujarat Giants (GG) in their Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 clash at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on March 10, Monday.
The match was a spectacle of impressive individual performances that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Mumbai Indians, batting first, posted a total of 179/6, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur delivering a commanding 54-run innings. In the chase, Gujarat Giants' Bharti Fulmali produced a stunning display of power-hitting, scoring a rapid 61 runs off just 25 balls, almost single-handedly steering her team to victory, but all her efforts went in vain in the end. However, Mumbai Indians' bowling attack proved decisive. Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr's three-fers, and Shabnim Ismail's economical bowling, conceding only 17 runs while taking 2 wickets, played pivotal roles in defending the total.
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Choosing to bat first, the Mumbai Indians began their innings with a measured approach, with Hayley Matthews providing the initial impetus with a quick 27 off 22 balls. However, Gujarat Giants struck an early blow, dismissing Amelia Kerr in the third over. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Matthews then formed a stabilizing partnership, building a solid foundation before both were dismissed in quick succession. With Mumbai Indians at 105/3 in the 14th over, captain Harmanpreet Kaur took command, delivering a masterful innings of 54 runs from 33 balls, punctuated by nine boundaries, significantly accelerating the scoring.
In the crucial death overs, Amanjot Kaur contributed a vital cameo, scoring 27 runs off 15 balls, providing the final surge to the innings. Yastika Bhatia's rapid 13 runs off just 4 balls, including a four and a six, helped Mumbai Indians reach a formidable total of 179/6 in their allotted 20 overs. For Gujarat Giants, Ashleigh Gardner and Kashvee Gautam were the most effective bowlers, while Deandra Dottin had a less successful outing, conceding 44 runs in her four overs.
In pursuit of a challenging 180-run target, the Gujarat Giants faced an unsteady start, losing Beth Mooney early in the innings to Hayley Matthews. The flow of wickets continued, with Harleen Deol and Phoebe Litchfield attempting to stabilize the chase. However, the Mumbai Indians' bowlers maintained consistent pressure, striking at regular intervals and disrupting any momentum.
With the Gujarat Giants struggling at 92/6 in the 14th over, their chances appeared bleak. However, Bharti Fulmali dramatically shifted the game's momentum with an explosive counterattack, scoring a rapid 61 runs off just 25 balls, featuring eight fours and four sixes. She found valuable support from Simran Shaikh, and their partnership of 50 runs off just 22 balls brought Gujarat within reach of an unlikely victory.
As the final over commenced with Gujarat needing only 10 runs, Mumbai Indians required a decisive effort. Hayley Matthews delivered, bowling a superb over and restricting Gujarat to 170/9, securing a thrilling victory for Mumbai. This win bolstered Mumbai's position in the WPL 2025 points table, while Gujarat were left to lament missed opportunities, particularly as Fulmali's exceptional innings ultimately went unrewarded.
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