Mumbai Indians (MI) beat Gujarat Giants (GG) by 143 runs in yesterday’s (March 4) WPL 2023 game at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai.
Gujarat Giants won the toss and opted to bowl first in the first game of the WPL. MI posted an impressive 207-5, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur leading the scorer with 65. In response, the Giants were shut out for 64 as left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque starred with 4-11 figures.
MI lost Yastika Bhatia (one) cheaply when she cut off a thrown delivery from Tanuja Kanwar on point. Hayley Matthews (47 for 31) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (23 for 18), however, laid a solid foundation for Mumbai, adding 54 runs for the second wicket. The dangerous position was broken when Sciver-Brunt was caught in the middle as she tried to go after Georgia Wareham.
At the other extreme, Matthews had looked good for half a century. However, she fell short by three, bowled by Ashleigh Gardner, as she picked the wrong delivery to cut. Just when it looked like Gujarat were in control of the game, IM captain Harmanpreet came in and snatched the momentum. He displayed excellent form, hitting 14 fours in his 30-ball stroke.
The right-hander scored four straight fours in the 15 over brought down by Monica Patel. She then hit three successive boundaries off Gardner, bringing out her half-century, the first in WPL history. Harmanpreet’s brilliant strike ended when she clipped a Sneh Rana delivery to the third man short.
Amelia Kerr hit six fours and one six on her 24-ball 45*, while Pooja Vastrakar chipped in 15 for eight. The MI innings ended on a perfect note as Issy Wong hit Rana’s last ball over deep midwicket for a maximum.
Chasing 208, Gujarat made the worst possible start as captain Beth Mooney limped off the field in the first over after picking up an injury. As if things couldn’t get any worse, Harleen Deol (0) intercepted a catch from Nat Sciver-Brunt to third man deep in the same over.
Gardner (0) edged past Wong, while Sabbhineni Meghana (two) was cleared by Nat Sciver-Brunt. Ishaque then brought down Annabel Sutherland (six) and Georgia Wareham (eight) as Gujarat lost their side’s half for 22 inside seven overs. Kerr contributed by catching Rana (one) lbw and catching Kanwar (0) in coverage.
Fittingly, Ishaque again dismissed Mansi Joshi (six) and Monica Patel (10) even as Dayalan Hemalatha was left stranded at 29*.
GG vs MI: Who won the Man of the Match award in yesterday’s WPL 2023 match?
IM captain Harmanpreet excelled in her boundary hitting, finding the gaps with near precision. Kerr and Matthews contributed crucial 40s. The former also picked up two wickets.
On the ball, Ishaque was impressive for Mumbai with his four-wicket haul, while Sciver-Brunt claimed two wickets without giving away much.
However, MI captain Harmanpreet was named Player of the Match for her fabulous tackling.