In a thrilling encounter on Friday in Vadodara, the Gujarat Giants (GG) halted their eight-match losing streak against the Mumbai Indians (MI), securing an 11-run victory. This win propelled them into the eliminator round of the Women's Premier League (WPL).
With the Royal Challengers Bengaluru already confirmed in the finals with six wins and two losses, the Gujarat Giants finished in second place with five wins and three losses. The Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, are in a precarious position with three wins and five losses, needing a victory from the UP Warriorz to maintain their hopes for the eliminator. The Delhi Capitals also sit at fourth place with three wins and four losses, and a defeat against the bottom-placed UP Warriorz could eliminate MI, depending on net run rate calculations.
During their chase of 168 runs, MI's Sanjeevan Sajana narrowly escaped a leg-before-wicket appeal against Renuka Singh on the first delivery. Sajana started strong, hitting boundaries against both Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Renuka. However, Sophie Devine struck first for GG, dismissing Hayley with an inside edge that crashed into the stumps, leaving MI at 23/1 in 4.3 overs.
Devine and Kashvee Gautam dominated early, leading to MI's collapse to 37/3 in 6.5 overs as Sajeevan (26 off 25 balls) and Nat-Sciver Brunt (2) were sent back to the pavilion.
A partnership between Amelia Kerr and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was crucial, as they brought up a 50-run stand in just 8.1 overs. By the end of the 10 overs, MI was at 65/3, with Harmanpreet (19*) and Amelia (10*) still at the crease.
Georgia Wareham broke the partnership, catching Amelia's edge behind the stumps, leaving MI at 82/4 in 11.5 overs.
Harmanpreet Kaur's six over deep square leg marked MI's 100-run milestone in 14.3 overs. She continued to score boundaries against Wareham and Rajeshwari, reaching her 11th WPL fifty in just 34 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes.
However, two quick wickets from Rajeshwari and Wareham shifted momentum back to GG, reducing MI to 127/6 in 17.2 overs.
Despite Harmanpreet's efforts, which included two sixes in the final over, MI fell short, finishing at 156/7. Harmanpreet remained unbeaten at 82 off 48 balls, hitting eight fours and four sixes.
Earlier in the match, a late surge from Ash Gardner and Georgia Wareham helped the Gujarat Giants post a solid total of 167/4 in their 20 overs.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sophie Devine started strong but was dismissed early, leaving GG at 21/1. Anushka Sharma, batting at number three, looked promising, hitting four boundaries and helping GG reach 48/1 by the end of the powerplay.
Anushka's innings ended at 33 runs off 31 balls, and GG was at 69/2 in 9.3 overs. Nat-Sciver Brunt then dismissed Sophie for 25 runs, leaving GG at 71/3.
Gardner and Wareham then built a crucial partnership, taking GG past the 100-run mark in 14.4 overs. Gardner's aggressive batting in the 16th over, which included a six and three fours, helped GG accumulate runs quickly.
The innings concluded with GG at 167/4, with Wareham finishing on 44* off 26 balls. The late surge saw them score 61 runs in the last five overs.
For MI, Amelia Kerr (2/26) and Shabnim Ismail (1/29) delivered impressive bowling performances, each completing four-over spells.
