Opting to bat first, Mumbai Indians got off to a solid start, with Hayley Matthews (27 off 22) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (38 off 31) laying the foundation. However, it was skipper Harmanpreet Kaur who stole the show with a brilliant 54 off 33 balls. Kaur mixed innovative strokes with powerful hitting, ensuring MI maintained a brisk scoring rate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She found support in Amanjot Kaur, whose aggressive cameo of 27 off 15 balls, including two fours and a six in a single over, propelled MI past the 170-run mark. Yastika Bhatia\u2019s quick-fire 13 off four balls also proved crucial as MI finished at a competitive 179\/6.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With a new opening pair of Kashvee Gautam and Beth Mooney, Gujarat Giants hoped for a steady start. Mooney flicked Shabnim Ismail for an early boundary, but Mumbai\u2019s bowlers tightened their lines, restricting the flow of runs. Mooney, attempting to accelerate, fell for 7 off 9, caught at cover off Hayley Matthews. Harleen Deol injected some momentum into their chase with a quick 24 off 17, peppering the boundary with elegant strokes. But her dismissal via DRS off Amelia Kerr proved pivotal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gujarat struggled to build partnerships as wickets kept tumbling. Kashvee Gautam (10 off 14) was stumped off Sanskriti Gupta, while Ashleigh Gardner departed for a duck, edging Ismail to slip. Phoebe Litchfield played a fighting hand with 22 off 16, displaying her range of shots, but she too fell to Ismail\u2019s clever variations. At 92\/6, the chase seemed out of reach for the Giants.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Just when MI seemed to have gained complete control, Bharti Fulmali turned the game on its head with a stunning counterattack. Walking in at No. 7, she unleashed a flurry of boundaries, cutting and driving with authority. She smashed Amelia Kerr for a six and a four in a crucial over, racing to a scintillating 61 off 25 balls, becoming only the second batter in WPL history to score a fifty from No. 7 or lower.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Simran Shaikh (18 off 10) and Tanuja Kanwar (10 off 6) provided crucial support, keeping Gujarat in the hunt. Shaikh\u2019s six over long-on and Tanuja\u2019s clever placement kept the pressure on MI\u2019s bowlers. However, MI's experienced attack held its nerve in the final overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The final five overs were a rollercoaster. Fulmali continued her onslaught but was dismissed at a critical juncture, handing MI a lifeline. Tanuja Kanwar\u2019s unfortunate run-out added to Gujarat\u2019s woes before Matthews delivered the knockout blow, cleaning up Shaikh. Priya Mishra reviewed a dismissal in desperation, but it didn\u2019t matter as she fell the very next ball, sealing Mumbai\u2019s victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Mumbai, Amelia Kerr (3\/34), Hayley Matthews (3\/38) and Shabnim Ismail (2\/17) starred with the ball.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The final five overs were a rollercoaster. Fulmali continued her onslaught but was dismissed at a critical juncture, handing MI a lifeline. Tanuja Kanwar\u2019s unfortunate run-out added to Gujarat\u2019s woes before Matthews delivered the knockout blow, cleaning up Shaikh. Priya Mishra reviewed a dismissal in desperation, but it didn\u2019t matter as she fell the very next ball, sealing Mumbai\u2019s victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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