\u201cObviously really happy with that performance. We knew this game was almost like a quarterfinal to make the playoffs, so there was a lot riding on it. There were plenty of positives to take. Like you said, the stats told one story, but we knew today was a new game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe\u2019d played some really good cricket against them earlier and just couldn\u2019t get over the line. We believed what we were doing would work - we just needed to sustain it for longer. To be going into the playoffs with this group of players is really pleasing,\u201d said Gardner in the post-match presentation ceremony.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Explaining the decision to bat first, Ashleigh said, \"I think it was a bit of both. We\u2019ve won all our games batting first, so there\u2019s confidence in that. If you look at our batting lineup, we want to take the game on in the powerplay and really set things up early, knowing we\u2019ve got firepower through the middle and late order.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf we can maximise those phases, it puts us in a strong position. I still think we could\u2019ve pushed the total a bit more, if I\u2019m being critical. But the bowlers did a fantastic job - taking wickets in clumps really stalls the run rate. With Kaur out there at the end, we all know how damaging she can be, so we\u2019re pleased to have got the win,\" she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ashleigh also praised her bowling unit and singled out Georgia Wareham\u2019s contribution. \u201cA bit of both. We saw that variation was key - the spinners played a big role, especially when the pace was taken off. Early on, the ball was gripping and turning, but once the dew sets in, it tends to skid on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe always talk about keeping the stumps in play for as long as possible. It sounds cliche, but on a black-soil wicket like this, the ball can shoot through and stay low. You want all modes of dismissal in play rather than bowling wide and letting batters settle. So for us, it was about keeping the plan really simple and executing it well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe know the world-class player Georgia is. We\u2019ve seen it in the Big Bash back home, where she led from the front for the Renegades with both bat and ball. I\u2019ve played a lot of cricket with her for Australia, so we know her capabilities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about giving her the best opportunity to play the role we want her to play - coming in through the middle, taking the game away from the bowlers. And she\u2019s one of the best leg-spinners in the world, so giving her the freedom to attack and take wickets in that middle phase was key. She did that brilliantly today,\u201d she elaborated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mumbai skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who fought valiantly with an unbeaten 82, rued the lack of support from the other end. \"For the first six overs, we weren\u2019t able to execute our batting plans. Unfortunately, we lost an early wicket and couldn\u2019t score enough runs. We were hoping to build two solid partnerships, but sadly today we didn\u2019t have any impactful ones,\" she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on her mindset during the chase, Harmanpreet stated, \"I kept telling myself that I had to keep batting. At the other end, I was definitely looking for support, but unfortunately today no one was able to provide that. These things happen in games where there\u2019s a lot of pressure. Sometimes the team isn\u2019t able to execute the plans. Overall though, it was a good game.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On MI\u2019s fielding lapses, Harmanpreet admitted, \"Yes, while fielding we did miss a few chances. I think we gave away around 16-17 extra runs, and that cost us. Still, we have a very good batting side. If there had been even one partnership with me, I think it could have changed the scenario. We tried our level best, but unfortunately we couldn\u2019t win the game.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on her mindset during the chase, Harmanpreet stated, \"I kept telling myself that I had to keep batting. At the other end, I was definitely looking for support, but unfortunately today no one was able to provide that. These things happen in games where there\u2019s a lot of pressure. Sometimes the team isn\u2019t able to execute the plans. Overall though, it was a good game.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the setback, Harmanpreet remained optimistic about MI\u2019s playoffs chances. \"Yes, I like to focus on things that are in my control. If things go our way, we\u2019ll be very happy. The good thing is that the tournament is still on. Let\u2019s see what happens tomorrow. Today was something we wanted to focus on more, but unfortunately we couldn\u2019t do what we had planned.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n