At the Brabourne Stadium, where the Gujarat Giants were playing their first game of the season, they won the toss and decided to bowl first. A exciting encounter between two teams vying for the top spot took place in the 19th WPL match.
Even though the Mumbai side lost a few early wickets, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and batsman Nat Sciver-Brunt ensured that the team finished with a respectable total. MI-W finished the first innings with a score of 179-6, which was still a respectable total in a crucial match for the tournament’s first champions, who are vying for their second final spot.
At one point, the Gujarat Giants were 92-6, and just when it seemed hopeless, Giants power hitter Bharti Fulmali saved the day with an amazing knock. Though Matthews had 12 runs to defend in the final over, MI-W ultimately prevailed by nine runs because to the expertise of all-rounder Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews.
Talking Points
1. Bharti Fulmali nearly completes the task
As long as Fulmali was at the crease, it appeared that the Giants could win the game. She nearly got the Giants across the finish line with her 61 off 25 deliveries, which put them back in the game. Even though they lost and were unable to advance straight to the finals, it was still a fantastic knock, and the Ashleigh Gardner-led team will be pleased to have another game-winning player in the future.
2. Kerr and Matthews spin the web
Despite having less than ideal batting days, Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr made sure to contribute with the ball. At regular intervals, Matthews and Kerr each claimed three wickets to put pressure on the Giants. Additionally, Kerr received the Purple Cap, which he hopes to keep as the tournament draws to a close.
3. Harmanpreet performs a knock for the captain.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s half-century set the tone for MI-W, and she once again produced an incredible knock that lifted the side out of a difficult spot. She also established a crucial alliance with Sciver-Brunt, and her 54 off 33 deliveries significantly changed the score.
Who Said What?
Ashleigh Gardner, Gujarat Giants and losing skipper said
We knew that it is a high scoring venue, we could have kept them to 160 and that is what happens sometimes, when you don’t save runs it becomes crucial in the second innings. We had the safety blanket of knowing that we are in the finals, it kind of gave us the breathing room to try and win the game as quickly as we could, and that is a big positive.
Kashvee is capable of doing that role (opening the batting) and we know her strength is playing down the ground and that is probably an area which is in focus to improve on our batting in the powerplay. We have seen what she (Fulmali) is capable of doing, gives her plenty of confidence going into the final. Amazing to see her play that way and she almost took us home. We will hope to change that in the final (the losing streak against MI).
Harmanpreet Kaur, Mumbai Indians Women winning skipper and Player of the Match said
We bowled well in patches, but we should give credit to their batters, they kept the match on and we have to learn from our mistakes. We will rethink what went wrong and in the next game we will learn from our mistakes. We got decent total on the board and we were in the game in the first 10 overs, but credit to Bharti for the way she batted today and that is how the wicket plays here. It is always about the match-ups and the most important thing is gut-feeling and lucky to have lot of experience in our bowling.
Very happy whenever you get runs and I was enjoying my batting and want to continue my rhythm. I keep trusting myself that whatever the ball is coming I want to utilize it the best way. We understood how the conditions are and as a group we will rethink our learnings and execute in the best way tomorrow. Recovery is going to play a very big role because we are playing back-to-back games.
India
