Harmanpreet Kaur’s fluent half-century was backed by an exceptional bowling performance as Mumbai Indians beat Gujarat Giants by nine runs to strengthen their probabilities of ending on top within the Women’s Premier League in Mumbai on Monday. Sent in to bat, Harmanpreet showcased her class as she slammed nine boundaries to attain 54 off 33 balls and anchor MI to a competitive total of 179/6. The bowlers then took over, with superb performances from Shabnim Ismail (2/17) and Amelia Kerr (3/34) as MI bowled Gujarat Giants out for 170 in 20 overs, despite a whirlwind 25-ball 61 by Bharti Fulmali.
With this win, Mumbai joined Delhi Capitals at 10 points but stayed at second position as a consequence of a lower net run-rate. MI will aim to seal their direct qualification to the ultimate by ending at the highest after they face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the ultimate league match on Tuesday.
Gujarat Giants, who ended their league stage with eight points, could have to play the eliminator on Thursday against the second-place team within the standings.
MI, boasting a 5-0 record against GG within the tournament’s temporary history, thus maintained their dominance over the Gujarat side, who had entered the match on the back of three consecutive wins.
Chasing 180, Harleen Deol (24) and Phoebe Litchfield (22) began well but Gujarat lost wickets at regular intervals, leaving them at 70/5 within the eleventh over.
Harleen played some elegant shots, carting three consecutive fours off Hayley Matthews, who had earlier dismissed Beth Mooney (7).
Kashvee Gautam (10), promoted to open the innings, was sent back by young Sanskriti Gupta, with wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia executing a lightning-fast stumping.
Shabnim Ismail then induced a thick edge from Ashleigh Gardner (0), as Gujarat slipped to 41/3. Amelia Kerr used the DRS to dismiss the in-form Harleen after trapping her in front of the stumps.
Litchfield played some modern shots, including a switch pull, but was eventually bowled out by Ismail as Gujarat’s chase faltered.
Fulmali then raised hopes of a turnaround when she smashed eight fours and 4 sixes but Amelia removed her in her last ball to dash GG’s hopes. Earlier, aside from Harmanpreet, Matthews (27), Nat Sciver-Brunt (38), and Amanjot Kaur (27) also chipped in with quick knocks.
Sent in to bat, Matthews got MI off to a robust start, hammering a 4 and a six off Deandra Dottin within the opening over. Nonetheless, Amelia Kerr (5) was run out in Gautam’s over.
Matthews blasted a few boundaries, while Sciver-Brunt followed suit with two fours and a six as MI scored 44/1 after six overs.
Priya Mishra then dismissed the damaging Matthews, but conceded 13 runs in her next over. Skipper Ashleigh Gardner bowled two tidy overs but Meghna Singh faced the wrath of Harmanpreet, who sent her for a few boundaries.
Harmanpreet and Sciver-Brunt added 59 runs off 40 balls before Gardner broke the stand, with a superb caught-and-bowled effort after getting a vanguard from the England player, as MI slipped to 105/3 within the 14th over.
Amanjot Kaur sizzled in the center overs, striking 4 boundaries and a six in her quickfire 27 off 15 balls before holing out to Gardner off Gautam.
Kaur brought up her fourth half-century against the Giants with a single off Dottin but holed out within the twentieth over.
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