In the fifth match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, the Gujarat Giants (GG) faced off against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on February 18, 2025. MI’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, won the toss and elected to field first.
Gujarat Giants’ Innings:
GG’s batting lineup struggled against MI’s disciplined bowling attack. The opening pair, Beth Mooney and Laura Wolvaardt, were unable to provide a solid start. Mooney was dismissed early by Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Wolvaardt followed soon after. The middle order also faltered, with Dayalan Hemalatha and Ashleigh Gardner failing to make significant contributions. Harleen Deol offered some resistance, scoring 32 runs, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Deandra Dottin managed a quick 25 off 13 balls, but GG was eventually bowled out for a modest total of 120 runs in 20 overs.
Mumbai Indians’ Bowling Highlights:
- Nat Sciver-Brunt: Led the attack with precision, claiming crucial wickets, including that of Beth Mooney.
- Hayley Matthews: Contributed significantly by taking key wickets in the middle overs, disrupting GG’s momentum.
- Amelia Kerr: Maintained tight lines, ensuring the pressure remained on GG’s batters throughout their innings.
Mumbai Indians’ Chase:
Chasing a target of 121, MI’s innings began with openers Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia. Matthews was dismissed after scoring 17 runs, but Nat Sciver-Brunt anchored the innings with an unbeaten 29 runs. Despite losing a few wickets, including that of captain Harmanpreet Kaur, MI maintained control of the chase. Amelia Kerr supported Sciver-Brunt, and together they steered MI towards the target. At the end of 9.2 overs, MI’s score stood at 61/3, needing 60 more runs from 64 balls to secure victory.
Key Moments:
- Early Breakthroughs: Nat Sciver-Brunt’s early dismissal of Beth Mooney set the tone for MI’s bowling dominance.
- Middle-Order Collapse: GG’s middle order failed to build partnerships, leading to a subpar total.
- Steady Chase: MI’s batters, particularly Nat Sciver-Brunt, showcased composure, ensuring the required run rate remained manageable.
As the match progresses, MI appears poised to clinch their first victory of the season, while GG will need to reflect on their batting performance and strategize for upcoming games.
For live updates and detailed commentary, you can follow the match here.
Note: The match is ongoing, and the final result will be determined as play continues.
