WPL 2025: Mumbai Indians Excel with Bowling as Gujarat Giants Collapse for 120

Synopsis

In a commanding bowling display, Mumbai Indians restricted Gujarat Giants to just 120 runs during the Women's Premier League match at Kotambi Stadium. Led by Hayley Matthews, who took 3 wickets for 16 runs, MI's bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, securing a dominant position.

Key Takeaways

Hayley Matthews led with a brilliant performance, taking 3 wickets.
MI's bowlers exploited early breakthroughs effectively.
Gujarat Giants struggled with their batting order.
Harleen Deol was the top scorer for GG with 32 runs.
MI has set themselves up for a comfortable chase.

Vadodara, Feb 18 (NationPress) The Mumbai Indians (MI) executed a masterful bowling display, dismissing the Gujarat Giants (GG) for a mere 120 runs during the fifth match of the third season of the Women’s Premier League, held at the Kotambi Stadium on Tuesday. Under the leadership of all-rounder Hayley Matthews, who achieved figures of three wickets for just 16 runs, the MI bowlers exploited early opportunities and maintained tight bowling lines, consistently putting the Gujarat Giants on the back foot throughout their innings.

The MI bowlers were sharp right from the outset, with Nat Sciver-Brunt and Matthews providing crucial early breakthroughs. Shabnam Ismail bowled tightly and took the wicket of Laura Wolvaardt, who scored only 4 runs, caught at deep extra cover. The Gujarat Giants, batting first, faced immediate pressure.

The opening duo of Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney struggled, with Mooney falling for just 1 run in the second over, courtesy of Sciver-Brunt.

Matthews continued to press, claiming the vital wicket of Dayalan Hemalatha (9), who had just struck a boundary, caught off a cleverly delivered wide ball. The troubles for GG persisted as skipper Ashleigh Gardner (10) was caught while attempting to hit over the boundary. Deandra Dottin was stumped off Amelia Kerr, leaving GG in dire straits at 58/5 by the tenth over.

With wickets tumbling at regular intervals, Harleen Deol emerged as the lone fighter in the middle order, scoring 32 runs off 31 balls with a couple of boundaries before being caught off Amanjot Kaur. Tanuja Kanwer showed some resistance with a boundary but was dismissed shortly after for 13 runs, leaving GG in a precarious position.

Sayali Satghare and Priya Mishra attempted to salvage some dignity in the final overs, with Satghare striking a few boundaries, including a cut shot and a full toss that slipped through the gap between short third and backward point.

Despite their late efforts, GG's tail end could not capitalize, and the innings concluded at a paltry 120 runs on the last ball of the 20th over. A final run-out sealed their fate, placing MI in a strong position as they prepared to chase a modest target.

In addition to Matthews’ exceptional three-wicket haul, both Amelia Kerr and Nat Sciver-Brunt played pivotal roles in GG’s collapse. Kerr ended with two wickets for 22 runs, while Sciver-Brunt claimed two wickets for 26 runs, dismissing both Mooney and Deol.

Brief scores:

Gujarat Giants 120 all out in 20 overs (Harleen Deol 32, Kashvee Gautam 20; Hayley Matthews 3-16, Amelia Kerr 2-22) against Mumbai Indians