Former champions Mumbai Indians (MI) registered a stunning win by defeating Gujarat Giants by five wickets with 23 balls remaining in the Women's Premier League (WPL) match at the Kotambi Stadium on Tuesday. Batting first, Gujarat were bowled out for 120 in the stipulated 20 overs. Mumbai tasted their first win in the tournament by scoring 122 runs for five wickets in 16.1 overs.
Chasing a small target, Mumbai started cautiously. Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia bowled disciplined bowling for Gujarat. Mathews hit an early boundary off Ashleigh Gardner, but could not score easily against Tanuja Kanwar's spin. Deandra Dottin, who came in as the first change, struggled with her line.
Mathews finally picked up some pace, sending a full toss ball over square leg off Tanuja Kanwar for a boundary. However, she was soon caught by Harleen Deol trying to hit another shot over square leg. He scored 17 runs off 19 balls.
After this, Nat Sciver-Brunt came to the crease and started well with a four on the first ball. He hit another four at point to Dottin showing his class. Meanwhile, Yastika Bhatia was trying to handle the innings but missed Laura Wolvaardt at mid-off off Priya Mishra and returned to the pavilion after scoring eight runs off 10 balls.
When captain Harmanpreet Kaur landed on the field, Mumbai's score was 46/2 in seven overs. He made a great start. Bounded across the point with a brilliant guide. However, she scored just four runs off two balls and was out lbw off Kashvi Gautam. This has once again raised the hope of Gujarat.
Unfazed by the fall of wickets, Sciver-Brunt carried the scoreboard forward. He took advantage of the loose balls, sweeping Priya Mishra for a boundary and flicking Dottin's slower ball towards deep backward square leg for another boundary.
Sciver-Brunt played a brilliant innings of 57 runs off 39 balls and was dismissed on Priya's ball. Kamalini hit a four off the first ball. After this, Sajana hit a one-handed shot on the cover in spectacular style and Mumbai Indians achieved the target in 16.1 overs. In bowling, Kashvi Gautam (2-15) and Priya Mishra (2-40) performed well.
Earlier, MI bowled brilliantly to bowl out Gujarat Giants for just 120 runs. All-rounder Hayley Matthews took three wickets for 16 runs. The MI bowlers took advantage of the early successes and tight line and kept Gujarat Giants on the backfoot throughout the innings.
For Gujarat, Harleen Deol scored 32 and Kashvi Gautam scored 20 runs. In bowling, Hayley Matthews (3-16), Amelia Kerr (2-22) performed brilliantly.