WPL: Mumbai Indians closing in on prime spot with 9-run win over Gujarat Giants

Harmanpreet Kaur’s fluent half-century was backed by an distinctive bowling efficiency as Mumbai Indians beat Gujarat Giants by 9 runs to strengthen their possibilities of ending on prime within the Ladies’s Premier League right here on Monday.

Despatched in to bat, Harmanpreet showcased her class as she slammed 9 boundaries to attain 54 off 33 balls and anchor MI to a aggressive complete of 179/6.The bowlers then took over, with very good performances from Shabnim Ismail (2/17) and Amelia Kerr (3/34) as MI bowled Gujarat Giants out for 170 in 20 overs, regardless of a whirlwind 25-ball 61 by Bharti Fulmali.

With this win, Mumbai joined Delhi Capitals at 10 factors however stayed at second place as a result of a decrease web run-rate. MI will goal to seal their direct qualification to the ultimate by ending on the prime once they face Royal Challengers Bengaluru within the remaining league match on Tuesday.

Gujarat Giants, who ended their league stage with eight factors, should play the eliminator on Thursday towards the second-place staff within the standings. MI, boasting a 5-0 file towards GG within the event’s temporary historical past, thus maintained their dominance over the Gujarat facet, who had entered the match on the again of three consecutive wins.

Chasing 180, Harleen Deol (24) and Phoebe Litchfield (22) began effectively however Gujarat misplaced wickets at common intervals, leaving them at 70/5 within the eleventh over.
Harleen performed some elegant pictures, carting three consecutive fours off Hayley Matthews, who had earlier dismissed Beth Mooney (7).

Kashvee Gautam (10), promoted to open the innings, was despatched again by younger Sanskriti Gupta, with wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia executing a lightning-fast stumping. Shabnim Ismail then induced a thick edge from Ashleigh Gardner (0), as Gujarat slipped to 41/3. Amelia Kerr used the DRS to dismiss the in-form Harleen after trapping her in entrance of the stumps.

Harmanpreet Kaur leads from the entrance

Litchfield performed some revolutionary pictures, together with a swap pull, however was finally bowled out by Ismail as Gujarat’s chase faltered. Fulmali then raised hopes of a turnaround when she smashed eight fours and 4 sixes, however Amelia eliminated her in her final ball to sprint GG’s hopes.

Earlier, aside from Harmanpreet, Matthews (27), Nat Sciver-Brunt (38), and Amanjot Kaur (27) additionally chipped in with fast knocks. Despatched in to bat, Matthews acquired MI off to a robust begin, hammering a 4 and a six off Deandra Dottin within the opening over. Nonetheless, Amelia Kerr (5) was run out in Gautam’s over.

Matthews blasted a few boundaries, whereas Sciver-Brunt adopted swimsuit with two fours and a six as MI scored 44/1 after six overs. Priya Mishra then dismissed the damaging Matthews, however conceded 13 runs in her subsequent over. Skipper Ashleigh Gardner bowled two tidy overs however Meghna Singh confronted the wrath of Harmanpreet, who despatched her for a few boundaries.

Harmanpreet and Sciver-Brunt added 59 runs off 40 balls earlier than Gardner broke the stand, with an excellent caught-and-bowled effort after getting a forefront from the England participant, as MI slipped to 105/3 within the 14th over. Amanjot Kaur sizzled within the center overs, placing 4 boundaries and a six in her quickfire 27 off 15 balls earlier than holing out to Gardner off Gautam. Kaur introduced up her fourth half-century towards the Giants with a single off Dottin however holed out within the twentieth over.