WPL Match 1, MI vs GUJ - Talking Points and Who Said What?

The inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League kicked off in style as Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants treated the fans with a dramatic curtain raiser on Saturday, March 4 at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Giants’ captain Beth Mooney won the first toss of the Women’s Premier League and invited Mumbai Indians to bat first on a belter of a track.

Mumbai batters gave no respite to Gujarat’s bowling attack as they posted a monumental total of 207/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur led the charge with her scintillating knock of 65 off 30 balls. Hayley Matthews (47 off 31) and Amelia Kerr (45*off 24) also made vital contributions as Mumbai got the WPL off to a rollicking start.

In reply, Gujarat suffered a huge blow as captain Meg Lanning got retired hurt after twisting her ankle while running. Following her injury, the entire team succumbed under the huge scoreboard pressure and fell like a house of cards as batters kept coming to the crease and returning to the pavilion.

Mumbai Indians won the match by a massive margin of 143 runs as Gujarat got bundled out for 64. As the historic inaugural match of the WPL ended, let’s take a look at the talking points from the first match.

Harmanpreet Kaur scores first fifty of WPL

Mumbai captain Harmanpreet Kaur continued her stupendous form from the Women’s T20 World Cup and got to her half-century in just 22 balls. She smacked 14 fours in her innings and was involved in a match-defining 89-run stand off just 72 balls with Amelia Kerr for the fourth wicket.

Complete failure of Gujarat Giants' batting

Gujarat's batting was in complete disarray as soon as their captain Beth Mooney returned to the pavilion after twisting her ankle. They lost four wickets inside the powerplay as Harleen Deol and Ashleigh Gardner returned to the pavilion for a duck. Only Dayalan Hemalatha and Monica Patel scored in double digits as Gujarat got bundled out for 64.

Beth Mooney’s injury

Captain Beth Mooney returned to the pavilion after twisting her ankle in the very first over itself. Gujarat Giants will hope it’s nothing serious and that she returns to the field in their next game otherwise it will be a big loss for Giants.

Sneh Rana, stand-in captain, Gujarat Giants said -

It's just the start, some of the players soak it up early, some will take time (on players getting ready at this level). A learning curve for us and we'll come back strongly. The physio will be better placed to explain (on Mooney's injury). I want to stand-up for whatever the team needs, if I do get captaincy, we'll try and execute our plans better. This was just the first match, we need to keep our heads high, we have players who have done well at the domestic level and we'll certainly look to comeback stronger tomorrow.

Harmanpreet Kaur, Mumbai Indians captain and Player of the Match said -

So we'll have a two-in-one interview: It was a brilliant start. Feeling like dream come true....first day. We were hoping all things going our way, and they were in our favour. (24 hour ago, what were the chats?) We kept things simple and clear. Told players to play natural. Obviously its a big day for women's cricket but it was all about backing yourself. (Her innings) I just thought I will watch the ball and back myself. I will not think too much, and instead react to the situation. (Captaincy chat at halfway mark) When we were batting, we knew it is a very good batting wicket. When the other team was bowling in the right spot, it was not easy to play. So told our bowlers it will not be easy if you bowl in the right spot. (What next?) Keep doing the same. Big victory, yes, but next games are important."

Nat Sciver-Brunt 2/5 (2 overs), Mumbai Indians said -

"Playing the first game was brilliant. When we walked out, it was a big occasion, so I took a few breaths to come down. (Many cultures) That's the best thing about such competitions. Saika is exciting, good to see her enjoy her wickets so much. (Harmanpreet) It's very good to be on the same team. I've had that done to me in the past. She looks to calm in the middle. (Edwards, coach) She's excited for all of us."