WPL 2025: Mumbai Indians hold nerve to edge out Gujarat Giants in a last-over thriller

Mumbai, March 10 (IANS) Former winners Mumbai Indians continued their dominance over Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League with a thrilling nine-run victory in the 19th match here at the Brabourne Stadium. With this win, MI maintained their perfect record against the Gujarat Giants, winning all six encounters in WPL history.

Opting to bat first, Mumbai Indians got off to a solid start, with Hayley Matthews (27 off 22) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (38 off 31) laying the foundation. However, it was skipper Harmanpreet Kaur who stole the show with a brilliant 54 off 33 balls. Kaur mixed innovative strokes with powerful hitting, ensuring MI maintained a brisk scoring rate.

She found support in Amanjot Kaur, whose aggressive cameo of 27 off 15 balls, including two fours and a six in a single over, propelled MI past the 170-run mark. Yastika Bhatia’s quick-fire 13 off four balls also proved crucial as MI finished at a competitive 179/6.

With a new opening pair of Kashvee Gautam and Beth Mooney, Gujarat Giants hoped for a steady start. Mooney flicked Shabnim Ismail for an early boundary, but Mumbai’s bowlers tightened their lines, restricting the flow of runs. Mooney, attempting to accelerate, fell for 7 off 9, caught at cover off Hayley Matthews. Harleen Deol injected some momentum into their chase with a quick 24 off 17, peppering the boundary with elegant strokes. But her dismissal via DRS off Amelia Kerr proved pivotal.

Gujarat struggled to build partnerships as wickets kept tumbling. Kashvee Gautam (10 off 14) was stumped off Sanskriti Gupta, while Ashleigh Gardner departed for a duck, edging Ismail to slip. Phoebe Litchfield played a fighting hand with 22 off 16, displaying her range of shots, but she too fell to Ismail’s clever variations. At 92/6, the chase seemed out of reach for the Giants.

Just when MI seemed to have gained complete control, Bharti Fulmali turned the game on its head with a stunning counterattack. Walking in at No. 7, she unleashed a flurry of boundaries, cutting and driving with authority. She smashed Amelia Kerr for a six and a four in a crucial over, racing to a scintillating 61 off 25 balls, becoming only the second batter in WPL history to score a fifty from No. 7 or lower.

Simran Shaikh (18 off 10) and Tanuja Kanwar (10 off 6) provided crucial support, keeping Gujarat in the hunt. Shaikh’s six over long-on and Tanuja’s clever placement kept the pressure on MI’s bowlers. However, MI’s experienced attack held its nerve in the final overs.

The final five overs were a rollercoaster. Fulmali continued her onslaught but was dismissed at a critical juncture, handing MI a lifeline. Tanuja Kanwar’s unfortunate run-out added to Gujarat’s woes before Matthews delivered the knockout blow, cleaning up Shaikh. Priya Mishra reviewed a dismissal in desperation, but it didn’t matter as she fell the very next ball, sealing Mumbai’s victory.

For Mumbai, Amelia Kerr (3/34), Hayley Matthews (3/38) and Shabnim Ismail (2/17) starred with the ball.

Mumbai Indians 179/6 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 54, Nat Sciver-Brunt 38; Ashleigh Gardner 1-27, Priya Mishra 1-23) beat Gujarat Giants 170 all out in 20 overs (Bharti Fulmali 61, Harleen Deol 24; Amelia Kerr 3/34, Hayley Matthews 3/38) by nine runs.

–IANS

hs/bsk/