WPL 2025: Mumbai Indians Women vs Gujarat Giants Women, Eliminator - Who Said What?

The business end of the Women's Premier League 2025 is here and the Mumbai Indians Women (MI-W) and Gujarat Giants Women (GG-W) met each other in the Eliminator at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday, March 13. GG-W skipper Ashleigh Gardner won the toss and put the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side into bat.

Yastika Bhatia's average season continued as she could not score big, getting dismissed for 15 off 14 balls. However, what came next would have caused Gardner to doubt her decision to bowl first. Nat Sciver-Brunt (77 off 41) and Hayley Matthews (77 off 50) formed a massive 133-run partnership in just 71 balls. Their innings ensured that Mumbai Indians reached a huge total of 213/4 in their allotted 20 overs.

Gujarat Giants' chase did not begin the way they would have wanted. They lost three wickets within the powerplay with 46 runs on the board. Overseas players Danielle Gibson (34 off 24) and Phoebe Litchfield (31 off 20) rebuilt the innings. Bharti Fulmali (30 off 20) also tried her best to bring the required rate down but failed to last till the end. GG-W's chase kept fizzling out as they ended their innings at 166 from 19.2 overs. MI-W completed an emphatic 47-run win.

Talking Points

1. Was Gardner's decision to bowl first a right one?

The Australian, in a crucial match, decided to chase when conventional thinking suggests batting first. The pitch did not seem to have demons for the first half. It looked like a good batting wicket. Perhaps, Gardner expected the dew to appear in the second innings to make life easier for her batters. All in all, Sciver-Brunt and Matthews proved Gardner's decision wrong with their onslaught and so begs the question - was Gardner right in electing to bowl first?

2. All-round performance from Matthews

The whirlwind partnership between Sciver-Brunt and Matthews took the game away from GG-W in the first innings. Matthews struck 10 fours and three sixes in her destructive innings. Moreover, she was not finished as she then came to the party again, this time with the ball to scalp three wickets for 31 runs in 3.2 overs. A performance to remember from the West Indian veteran.

3. Danielle Gibson shines on WPL debut

The 23-year-old English cricketer replaced Deandra Dottin who was ruled out due to an injury right before the toss. It were big shoes to fill for the right-hander and she tried her best. With the ball, she picked up Bhatia and Sciver-Brunt's wickets and was GG-W's best bowler with figures of 2/40 off four overs. With the bat, she was the highest scorer for her team, scoring 34 runs with the help of five fours and one six while opening the batting.

Also Read: Why is Deandra Dottin not playing against MI-W? - Explained

Who Said What?

Ashleigh Gardner, Gujarat Giants Women and losing skipper said

Unfortunately it wasn't to be today. But this group's got a lot to be proud of. So many positive stories to come out of this tournament. Different people have stood up at different times. Absolute pleasure to be able to lead this team. Wasn't to be today, but going forward there are a few shining lights in this group. I just said let's not get overawed by the experience. Let's just embrace the nerves which everyone had no doubt. There was a lot of excitement coming into this game. We didn't do all three facets well enough. We missed opportunities. Obviously not ideal losing someone who has been a crucial part of the team right through the tournament. But we knew we had Gibbo on the sidelines who's a like-for-like replacement. I hope D Dott's okay. Haven't heard much, but I think she hurt her knee. Hopefully we're treading in the right direction.

Harmanpreet Kaur, Mumbai Indians Women and winning skipper said

Great team effort. Really feeling happy today. I will be very honest, before the game I wanted to bat first. Whatever score is on the board, this ground we can chase it. Whatever happened happened for the good. Hayley and Nat played well and happy that I was there and executed well. (on Matthews and Sciver-Brunt) They are great players and they know how to play these kind of games, we don't need to tell them. Really happy with the way they took the responsibility and batted for the team. In bowling-wise we did really well today and we had so many meetings about this and all the bowlers executed well. Next game is important and we need to sit and think on what needs to be done. They are kind people and they do listen.

Hayley Matthews, Player of the Match said

It was a really good game and as a batter, you got really good value for your shots. Good to work with Nat and we went hand in hand. With the ball I had my plans. It was one of those wickets where you could put the ball away. Tried to choose my areas against different bowlers and manipulate the field. Tried to control one side of the field really well and vary my pace which is what I'm working on. Last time against GG, we were in the step-hit zone too often and they hit us. Just come back and do our homework against DC, they are a different side and they have got the better of us in the last two games. So do our homework, come out on the park and execute them.