In a showcase of nerves and tactical precision, Harmanpreet Kaur reaffirmed her status as the ultimate finisher in the Women’s Premier League. The Mumbai Indians captain produced a clinical unbeaten 71 off 43 balls to lead her side to a seven-wicket victory over Gujarat Giants, successfully hunting down a formidable target of 193.
Chasing 193, Mumbai Indians’ pursuit appeared to be faltering early after both openers, including the returning Hayley Matthews, were dismissed within five overs, leaving MI wobbling at 37/2.
Harmanpreet Kaur, who rescued MI just days ago against Delhi, walked out to a thunderous reception and immediately went to work. Alongside Amanjot Kaur (40 off 26 balls), the captain stabilized the ship with a 72-run partnership. While Amanjot provided the initial spark with seven boundaries, Harmanpreet took over once the required rate climbed toward 12 an over.
She brought up her half-century in 33 balls, targeting the straight boundaries and launching the likes of Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Wareham over the ropes.
When Harmanpreet scores a fifty, Mumbai Indians do not lose. This was the 10th such instance in WPL history, maintaining a 100% win record when the skipper crosses the half-century milestone.
After Amanjot fell to a Sophie Devine slower ball in the 13th over, MI still required 84 runs from 48 balls. The game hung in the balance until Nicola Carey (38* off 23 balls) joined her captain.
Carey decisively swung the momentum in the 16th over, dismantling Renuka Singh for five boundaries in a single over. The assault slashed the target to a manageable run-a-ball, allowing Harmanpreet to seal the contest with a boundary through deep midwicket with four balls to spare.
Earlier, Gujarat Giants posted a massive 192/5, headlined by a historic tactical manoeuvre. In the 16th over, the Giants chose to "Retire Out" a struggling Ayushi Soni (11 off 14); the first time this tactic has been used in WPL history.
The gamble paid immediate dividends. Bharti Fulmali walked in and breathed fire into the innings, smashing an unbeaten 36 off just 15 balls. Alongside Georgia Wareham (43* off 33), Fulmali plundered 39 runs from the final two overs, including a 23-run onslaught against Amanjot Kaur in the 20th over.
Despite the record-breaking powerplay (62/1) and the late fireworks, the Giants' bowlers were unable to withstand the pressure of a calculated MI chase.
For the second match in a row, Harmanpreet Kaur has turned a potential disaster into a routine victory. Her ability to pace a chase; going from run-a-ball to a strike rate of over 165, has become the backbone of MI’s title defence.
For the Gujarat Giants, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow. Despite becoming the first team in WPL history to record 180-plus scores in three consecutive matches, they remain winless against the defending champions. Their decision to "Retire Out" Soni will likely be the talk of the tournament, signalling a more data-driven, aggressive approach to the T20 format.
