Mumbai Indians Women’s team qualifies for playoffs in WPL
Mumbai Indians continued their winning streak in the Women’s Premier League by defeating Gujarat Giants by 55 runs, securing their fifth consecutive victory and qualifying for the playoffs with three matches still remaining. After a massive win against Gujarat Giants in their first encounter, Mumbai Indians dominated once again, delivering a comprehensive all-round performance at the Brabourne Stadium.
Gujarat Giants, who have lost four out of their five matches and are in second last place in the five-team points table, could only manage 107/9 in their 20 overs while chasing 163. Mumbai Indians’ overseas bowlers were among the wickets, with Hayley Matthews taking 3 wickets for 24 runs and Amelia Kerr
claiming 2 for 18. Nat Sciver-Brunt also contributed to the victory, taking 3 for 21 after scoring 36 runs off 31 balls.
Mumbai Indians appeared to be heading towards an average score at the halfway mark, scoring 64 for one in 10 overs after being asked to bat first. However, captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s explosive innings of 51 runs off 30 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, propelled Mumbai Indians to a challenging total of 162/8. Yastika Bhatia and Sciver-Brunt also contributed to the team’s total with a second-wicket partnership of 74 runs.
In the second half, Mumbai Indians began strongly, with Sciver-Brunt dismissing in-form opener Sophie Dunkley on the first ball of the innings. Gujarat Giants lost wickets regularly, with Matthews taking two more wickets in the sixth over and moving up to second place in the list of bowlers with the most wickets in the tournament.
Gujarat Giants’ captain, Sneh Rana, performed well with both bat and ball, taking 1 wicket for 17 runs and scoring 20 runs off 19 balls. However, it was not enough to prevent her team’s defeat.
Mumbai Indians’ captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, lost her fourth toss in a row in the Women’s Premier League, as Gujarat Giants chose to field first with two changes in their playing XI. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, remained unchanged.
Staff Reporter
