WPL 2025: Mumbai Indians Women vs Gujarat Giants Women, Match 19 - Who Said What?

The 19th match of the WPL was a thrilling game between two sides who were searching for the top spot. It was Gujarat Giants who won the toss and chose to bowl first at the Brabourne Stadium which was hosting its first game this season.

The Mumbai franchise might have lost some early wickets but Nat Sciver-Brunt and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur made sure the team scored a competitive total in the end. MI-W ended the first innings on a score of 179-6 which was still a decent total on the board in an important game for the inaugural champions who are in search of their second final spot in the tournament.

The Gujarat Giants were 92-6 at one point and while everything looked like it was over Giants power-hitter Bharti Fulmali came to the rescue with an incredible knock and raised hopes. Unfortunately, the experience of all-rounder Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews made sure that MI-W edged out a nine-run win in the end where Matthews had 12 runs to defend in the last over. 

Talking Points

1. Bharti Fulmali almost gets the job done

It looked like the Giants were in a position to win the game as long as Fulmali was at the crease. Her 61 off 25 deliveries brought the Giants back in the game and she almost got them over the line. Though it came in a losing cause and could not help them get to the finals directly it was still a great knock and the Ashleigh Gardner-led side will be happy they have another match-winner down the line.

2. Matthews and Kerr spin the web

Both Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr might have not had the best of days with the bat but they made sure they contributed with the ball. Both Matthews and Kerr took three wickets each at regular intervals to put the Giants under pressure. Kerr also went on to get the Purple Cap and will hope to hold onto it towards the end of the tournament.

3. Harmanpreet plays a captain's knock

It was the half-century from Harmanpreet Kaur that set the tone for MI-W and she once again played a remarkable knock that helped the team get out of a tough situation. Her 54 off 33 deliveries made a lot of difference in the score where she also formed an important partnership with Sciver-Brunt as well.

Also Read: Additional appointments made to WPL Committee, Dilsher Khanna nominated as member

Who Said What?

Ashleigh Gardner, Gujarat Giants and losing skipper said

We knew that it is a high scoring venue, we could have kept them to 160 and that is what happens sometimes, when you don't save runs it becomes crucial in the second innings. We had the safety blanket of knowing that we are in the finals, it kind of gave us the breathing room to try and win the game as quickly as we could, and that is a big positive. Kashvee is capable of doing that role (opening the batting) and we know her strength is playing down the ground and that is probably an area which is in focus to improve on our batting in the powerplay. We have seen what she (Fulmali) is capable of doing, gives her plenty of confidence going into the final. Amazing to see her play that way and she almost took us home. We will hope to change that in the final (the losing streak against MI).

Harmanpreet Kaur, Mumbai Indians Women winning skipper and Player of the Match said

We bowled well in patches, but we should give credit to their batters, they kept the match on and we have to learn from our mistakes. We will rethink what went wrong and in the next game we will learn from our mistakes. We got decent total on the board and we were in the game in the first 10 overs, but credit to Bharti for the way she batted today and that is how the wicket plays here. It is always about the match-ups and the most important thing is gut-feeling and lucky to have lot of experience in our bowling. Very happy whenever you get runs and I was enjoying my batting and want to continue my rhythm. I keep trusting myself that whatever the ball is coming I want to utilize it the best way. We understood how the conditions are and as a group we will rethink our learnings and execute in the best way tomorrow. Recovery is going to play a very big role because we are playing back-to-back games.