An inspired all-round performance by , coupled with a sublime knock from Nat Sciver-Brunt guided Mumbai Indians to a 47-run win over Gujarat Giants in the Women's Premier League 2025 Eliminator at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, March 13. The win sealed MI's final berth — they will meet Delhi Capitals in the summit clash on Saturday. (Highlights | Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
After a sluggish powerplay, Sciver-Brunt (77 off 41) and Matthews (77 off 50) exhibited their big-hitting prowess to power Mumbai to a massive 213 for four, which was the highest total in WPL playoffs history. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (36 off 12) provided the finishing touches with a crisp cameo.
After a distinctly poor show in the field with umpteen dropped catches and misfields, the Giants were on self-destructing mode in the chase with three run-outs being an indicator of that. Their innings ended at 166 all out in 19.2 overs, with Player of the Match Matthews (3/31 in 3.2 overs) picking up three wickets.
Debutante Danielle Gibson (34 off 24) and Phoebe Litchfield (31 off 20) looked in threatening touch but regular fall of wickets kept pegging the Giants back. The highlight of Litchfield's effort was the switch hit of Matthews.
Skipper Ashleigh Gardner, who bailed her team out on multiple occasions, had an off day with the bat. Indian batter Bharti Fulmali delayed the inevitable with an impressive 30 off 20 balls.
Toss Update
Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner won the toss and elected to bowl first against Mumbai Indians.
Star Gujarat Giants all-rounder Deandra Dottin suffered an injury minutes before the start of the match and was replaced by Danielle Gibson. For the Harmanpreet Kaur-led MI, left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque returned in the XI for Parunika Sisodia.
Playing XIs
Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney (wk), Kashvee Gautam, Harleen Deol, Ashleigh Gardner (capt), Phoebe Litchfield, Danielle Gibson, Bharti Fulmali, Simran Shaikh, Tanuja Kanwar, Meghna Singh, Priya Mishra
Mumbai Indians: Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Amanjot Kaur, Yastika Bhatia (wk), S Sajana, G Kamalini, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque
MI have now won all seven of their face-offs against the Giants. The Gardner-led side, meanwhile, could not make their maiden playoffs appearance count.
(With PTI inputs)
