Ash Gardner's Gujarat Giants have found themselves on the wrong end of yet another Womens Premier League (WPL) match, losing for the sixth consecutive time against the Mumbai Indians. The match, played at the Brabourne Stadium on March 11, 2025, ended with Mumbai winning by nine runs, putting them on the verge of securing direct entry to the WPL final.
The Giants had set out to chase down the formidable target of 180 runs set by the Mumbai Indians. Unfortunately for Gujarat, their batting lineup faltered against Mumbai's multi-national bowling attack. While Gardner, the Giants' captain, performed admirably on her own, her team's efforts to achieve the target fell frustratingly short.
Gardners exemplary performance with the ball saw her take 1-27 during her four overs, dismissing the dangerous Nat Sciver-Brunt who accounted for 38 runs off 31 balls. She also executed a stunning run-out of Amelia Kerr and took the catch of Amanjot Kaur to limit Mumbai's late flurry of runs. Her contributions on the field underscored her commitment, but as the captain, even she could not change the outcome of the match.
On the other hand, the Mumbai Indians showcased their formidable lineup, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur leading from the front, scoring 54 runs off just 33 balls. Kaur's strong performance, combined with the stellar bowling efforts by Amelia Kerr, 3-34, Hayley Matthews, 3-38, and Shabnim Ismail, 2-17, proved too much for the Giants to handle. The Giants stumbled out to 5-70 by the 11th over, and though Bharti Fulmali tried to keep them competitive with her impressive 61 runs off 25 balls, it was not sufficient.
Despite the loss, the Giants' captain remained hopeful. "We have to change the tune if we meet again this season," Gardner remarked, expressing her determination to finally break the losing streak against Mumbai. With Mumbai's victory important for their qualification, they are now left needing either a win or even just a tie against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who sit at the bottom, to advance to the finals on Saturday.
Meanwhile, for the Gujarat Giants, the road does not get any easier. They face the Delhi Capitals, coached by Meg Lanning, this Thursday, March 13, 2025, for the eliminator match. This encounter has significant ramifications, as the Giants will be vying to keep their WPL campaign alive against another tough opponent.
Looking back at the match, Gardner had approached the innings with the intention of pushing for the required rate, aiming for ten runs per over. Yet, the batting collapse cost them dearly. Their previous failures against the Mumbai side highlight the psychological barriers the team must overcome to succeed moving forward.
With the WPL nearing its conclusion, the pressure is on for both the Gujarat Giants and the Mumbai Indians. Giants fans and players alike will be hoping to see their team rise to the occasion against the Capitals, where they must find their footing if they want to avoid packing their bags early from the tournament.