Mumbai: Mumbai Indians Women put up a dominant performance to secure a resounding 47-run victory over Gujarat Giants Women in the Women's Premier League (WPL) Eliminator at the Brabourne Stadium here on Thursday, advancing to their second consecutive final.
Mumbai Indians, batting first, posted a formidable total of 213/4 in their allotted 20 overs, led by stellar knocks from Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt, both scoring 77 runs. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur provided the final flourish with a blistering 36 off just 12 deliveries.
Sciver-Brunt, in particular, was in sublime touch, striking 10 boundaries and two sixes in her 41-ball knock. She brought up her half-century in emphatic fashion, pulling Danielle Gibson over midwicket for a maximum.
Hayley, on the other hand, was equally destructive, reaching her fifty in the 11th over with a powerful pull shot off Tanuja Kanwar. Her 50-ball innings featured 10 fours and three sixes, setting the tone for Mumbai’s imposing total.
Gujarat endured a difficult outing on the field, with multiple missed chances proving costly. Tanuja Kanwar dropped a sitter in the 18th over to give Sciver-Brunt a reprieve, while Ashleigh Gardner spilled an easy catch at long-on to dismiss Hayley earlier in the innings. Wicketkeeper Beth Mooney also missed a crucial early edge from Matthews, compounding Gujarat’s fielding woes.
The final overs saw Mumbai accelerating at an electrifying pace. Harmanpreet took charge, smashing consecutive sixes off Meghna Singh in the 19th over. Hayley, too, continued her aggressive stroke play, clearing the ropes twice off Priya Mishra in the 15th over. Sciver-Brunt added to Gujarat’s misery with two more sixes in the 14th over as Mumbai crossed the 200-run mark with ease.
Chasing a steep target of 214, Gujarat got off to a shaky start, losing their in-form captain and wicketkeeper Beth Mooney in the very first over for just six runs. Harleen Deol (8) and Ashleigh Gardner (8) failed to make an impact as Mumbai bowlers tightened their grip on the game.
Danielle Gibson provided some resistance with a brisk 34 off 24 balls, but wickets fell at regular intervals, preventing Gujarat from building any significant partnerships. Phoebe Litchfield (31) and Bharti Fulmali (30) fought valiantly, but the mounting required rate proved too much to handle.
Hayley was the pick of the Mumbai bowlers, claiming 3/31 in her spell, dismissing Gardner, Fulmali, and Meghna Singh, while Amelia Kerr (2/28) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (1/31) provided crucial breakthroughs. Shabnim Ismail also struck early, removing Mooney in the opening over.
Despite some late hitting from Tanuja Kanwar (16) and Simran Shaikh (17), Gujarat were bundled out for 166 in 19.2 overs, falling 47 runs short of the target.
With this victory, Mumbai have secured their spot in the WPL final, where they will face Delhi Capitals in a highly anticipated clash on Saturday.