WPL 2023 MI Vs GG: Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt Lift Mumbai Indians To Fifth Straight Win. Table-toppers Mumbai Indians (MI) were at odds with Gujarat Giants (GG) each other second time in the Women’s Premier League 2023 (WPL) at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
Mumbai Indians won all four games they played in this inaugural edition of the WPL; whereas Sneh Rana-led Gujarat Giants won one game out of the four. They are ranked in the fourth position in the points table.
Gujarat Giants won the toss and opted to bowl first. Giants skipper Rana gave the new ball to renowned spin-bowling all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner. She proved her captain’s decision right by dismissing in-from Mumbai opener Hayley Matthews on duck in the first over of the game.
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One down batsman Nat Sciver-Brunt and opener Yastika Bhatia weaved a vital partnership of 74 runs for the second wicket. However, the wickets of Yastika and Sciver-Brunt put Mumbai in trouble.
Harmanpreet Kaur Struck Her Third WPL Half-Century
MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur batted beautifully to rescue her team and then add quick runs in the death overs total. She completed her fifty in just 29 balls. Her spectacular knock was studded with seven elegant boundaries and two towering sixes. MI put a competitive total of 162 on board in 20 overs after losing eight wickets. Gardner bagged three wickets for 34 in her four overs.
Nat Sciver-Brunt ran through the Giant’s batting lineup
In the second innings, Mumbai Indians gave an early blow to the Giants as pacer Sciver-Brunt dismissed opener Sophia Dunkley on the first ball of the innings. All-rounder Hayley Matthews bagged wickets of Sabbhineni Meghana and Annabel Sutherland to put opponents under pressure.
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Gujarat continued to lose wickets in succession. They could make only 107 runs in 20 overs after losing nine wickets. They fell short by 56 runs from the target. Mumbai Indians won the game by 55 runs to register their fifth consecutive win in the tournament.
Brief Scorecard: Mumbai Indians 162/8 (20 overs) (Kaur 51, Bhatia 44, Gardner 3/34) beat Gujarat Giants 107/9 (20 overs) (Deol 22, Sciver-Brunt 3/21, Matthews 3/23) by 55 runs.
Playing XIs Of Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants
Mumbai Indians Women Playing XI: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, Humaira Kazi, Jintimani Kalita, Saika Ishaque, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Dhara Gujjar, Amelia Kerr, Issy Wong
Gujarat Giants Playing XI: Sneh Rana (c), Sushma Verma (wk), Dayalan Hemalatha, Annabel Sutherland, Kim Garth, Tanuja Kanwar, Mansi Joshi, Sabbhineni Meghana, Sophia Dunkley, Harleen Deol, Ashleigh Gardner
