WPL 2023: Mumbai Indians secure playoff berth after a 55-run victory over Gujarat Giants

Mumbai Indians have become the first team to secure a playoff berth in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023 after defeating Gujarat Giants by 55 runs at the Brabourne Stadium on Tuesday (March 14).

Harmanpreet Kaur played a captain’s knock to lift unbeaten Mumbai Indians to 162/8 after being asked to bat. In reply, Gujarat Giants were restricted to 107/9, thanks to Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 3/21 and Hayley Matthews’ 3/23.

Gujarat Giants suffered a blow at the start of their 163-run chase, losing their opener Sophia Dunkley for a golden duck as Nat Sciver-Brunt trapped her English compatriot in front.

The side never really got going as Hayley Matthews removed S Meghana (16) and Annabel Sutherland (0) in quick succession. The Giants, whose hopes relied heavily on Harleen Deol and Ash Garder, faced a massive dent in their run chase as they lost both Deol and Gardner.

While Issy Wong trapped Harleen (22) in front, Amelia Kerr got rid of big-hitter Gardner (8), who is yet to make an impact in the tournament, reducing Giants to 48/5. The Giants added another 48 runs but lost four wickets along the way as the Mumbai Indians continued to make inroads.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians suffered an early hiccup as Gardner removed MI’s in-form opener Hayley for a three-ball duck in the very first over. Sciver-Brunt and Yastika Bhatia quickly recovered the side with their crucial 74-run stand for the second wicket.

Kim Garth got the much-needed breakthrough for Gujarat Giants as she trapped Sciver-Brunt (36) in front. One brought two as Yastika ran herself out on 44.

Although wickets were tumbling on one end, Harmanpreet stood tall to take her side to 162/8. Along the way, the MI captain brought up her third fifty in the tournament. For GG, Ash Gardner returned with three wickets.