WPL 2025: Harmanpreet Kaur praises bowlers as Mumbai Indians clinch first victory
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Synopsis
Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised her team's execution after securing their first win of WPL 2025, defeating Gujarat Giants by five wickets. MI successfully chased 121 runs with 23 balls remaining, led by impressive bowling and Sciver-Brunt's pivotal innings.
Key Takeaways
- Harmanpreet Kaur recognizes team discipline.
- MI bowlers restricted GG to 120 runs.
- Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt excelled with the ball.
- Sciver-Brunt played a key role in the chase.
- MI achieved victory with 23 balls left.
Vadodara, Feb 18 (NationPress) Captain Harmanpreet Kaur of the Mumbai Indians (MI) commended her team's disciplined performance after they achieved their initial triumph in the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL), overcoming the Gujarat Giants (GG) by five wickets at Kotambi Stadium this Tuesday. In pursuit of a modest target of 121, MI accomplished the win with 23 balls remaining.
The bowlers from Mumbai Indians set an impressive tone early in the match, holding GG to a subpar total of 120 runs in 20 overs. Hayley Matthews led the bowling attack with figures of 3 for 16, while Amelia Kerr (2-22) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (2-26) provided stellar support. "Whatever we discussed in our team meetings, we executed flawlessly. I am very pleased that everything unfolded according to our strategy. The initial six overs are crucial. Our bowlers excelled, and we made the right choices for those overs, which gave us a solid beginning," stated Harmanpreet Kaur post-match.
The batting lineup of GG faced difficulties right from the beginning, with opener Beth Mooney dismissed for only one run in the second over by Sciver-Brunt. Laura Wolvaardt followed shortly, falling for four runs to Shabnim Ismail. As wickets fell, Harleen Deol stood as the lone batter to resist, scoring 32 runs off 31 balls. However, her dismissal in the 15th over sealed GG’s destiny, with the innings concluding at 120 due to a run-out.
Despite facing some early challenges in their chase, MI maintained control. Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia started cautiously, with Matthews finding an early boundary off Ashleigh Gardner but struggling against the spin of Tanuja Kanwer. Matthews was eventually out for 17, caught at square leg.
Sciver-Brunt then took the lead, scoring a vital 57 runs off 39 balls. Even as wickets fell—including Harmanpreet Kaur for just four—Sciver-Brunt’s calmness ensured MI remained on course. Her fifty was celebrated with back-to-back boundaries off Gardner. "We need to maintain consistency. We have a fantastic team, a balanced squad, and we must continue performing the right actions repeatedly," she commented.
Amelia Kerr contributed 19 runs off 20 balls before being dismissed lbw by Kashvee Gautam. Sajeevan Sajana and G. Kamalini completed the chase elegantly, with Sajana’s spectacular one-handed lofted boundary over covers sealing the victory in the 17th over.
