'It was important for the tournament to get off to a good start' - Parthiv Patel lauds Mumbai Indians to kick off WPL 2023 in style

Mumbai Indians made the biggest possible impact in the opening Women's Premier League 2023 match against Gujarat Giants to kick off the inaugural season in some style. Harmanpreet Kaur-led side beat the Giants by 143 runs with the captain herself slamming a big knock to raise the standard of a new league.

After the game, Parthiv Patel was impressed with Mumbai Indians eye-catching performance and said that the team provided a start the league needed and fans can expect more interesting clashes in the upcoming games. 

“After losing the toss, it was very important for Mumbai Indians to have a good start, especially during the powerplay and they did exactly that. It is a big stage for women's cricket and everybody, including the players was eagerly waiting for this. Hence, I am sure everybody was nervous. But it was important for the tournament to get off to a good start. Mumbai Indians did it very well, had an explosive start and we are sure there will be more interesting games in the coming day,” Parthiv said on JioCinema's show.

The captaincy was great from Harmanpreet Kaur: Parthiv Patel

Harmanpreet won the Player of the Match for top-scoring with 65 off just 30 as Mumbai Indians scored a big total while batting first at New Mumbai's Dr DY Patil Sports Academy. Her knock piloted MI women to 207/5, after managing to score just 77/3 in ten overs but her biggest contribution came while leading the team.

Mumbai Indians bowlers managed to bowl out Gujarat Giants on just 64 runs to further dominate the game. Harmanpreet used seven different bowling options with uncapped left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque taking four wickets for 11. Parthiv credited Mumbai Indians' captain for using her bowling options timely and also praised her for field placements. 

“The captaincy was great from Harmanpreet and there is no doubt about that. Especially, the field placements were on point. More importantly, when it looked like Gujarat Giants can't win from a point, she used all her players. As a batter, she was exceptional as well, the way she found the gaps and displayed her power hitting. She has always been known for her power hitting, but her timing today was noteworthy,” the former Indian stumper-opener concluded. 

Mumbai Indians next face Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 6, at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium, while Gujarat Giants will aim for their first win of the season against UP Warriorz in their next game on March 5, at New Mumbai's Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.