WPL Review: Nat, Hayley help Mumbai get off the mark
Mumbai Indians Women trotted along to the 121-run target set by Gujarat Giants Women to get off the mark in via a five-wicket victory with 23 deliveries to spare in the Women’s Premier League 2025 in Match 5 of the competition.
Opting to field first, the tourists silenced the Kotambi Stadium by dismissing three of the Giants’ batters in the first three overs of the game. With the dismissal of skipper Ashleigh Gardner, the Giants were left reeling at 28/4 after the powerplay. An over after Kashvee Gautam registered the first maximum of the innings, she nicked one through to the wicketkeeper to grant Hayley Matthews her second wicket in as many overs.
Harleen Deol did her best to anchor the innings and get her side to a respectable score, but she was dismissed by Amanjot Kaur in the 17th over for a 31-ball 32. A couple of boundaries in the final over of the innings helped the Giants to the 120-run mark. They got bundled out on the last delivery of the innings. Matthews was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets to her name.
The fourth over of the run-chase was when Matthews was dismissed. Priya Mishra’s first over of the night was greeted with a couple of boundaries off her first three boundaries by Nat Sciver-Brunt. However, a couple of wickets falling in the span of an over, including that of Harmanpreet Kaur, seemed to have changed the complexion of the game. A quiet spell of 23 runs off the subsequent four overs followed.
A 12 and 10-run 13th and 14th over pretty much turned the game in the favour of Mumbai. Sciver-Brunt brought up a fine half-century off 34 deliveries. Despite Amelia Kerr and Sciver-Brunt (57) being dismissed towards the end, Mumbai got to their target in 16.1 overs. Mishra, who was impressive with 3/25 in the previous game, went for 40 in her four-over quota.
Best Performers of the match
Nat Sciver-Brunt (57 off 39)
On a tricky surface, Sciver-Brunt kept her composure and stroked a second-consecutive half-century. Her knock comprised 11 boundaries, and she seemed quite calculative in relation to her boundary-scoring options.
Hayley Matthews (3/16 in four overs)
Conceding only one boundary in her four-over spell, Matthews was the pick of the bowlers for how well she kept the opposition batters in check with the subtle variations. She continued her fine wicket-taking form in this game.
What’s next for the two teams?
Having played three games within a short span of time already, the Giants will have a week’s time to regroup before taking on Delhi Capitals Women on Tuesday, February 25. As for Mumbai, they will be hosted by Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women in Bengaluru on Friday, February 21. Both the matches are scheduled for a 7:30 pm (IST) start.
