Mumbai Indians (MI) secured their place for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 Final with a decisive 47-run victory over Gujarat Giants (GG) on March 13, 2025. Played at the Brabourne Stadium, this Eliminator match showcased MI's batting prowess and strategic bowling, reaffirming their dominance over GG, having previously defeated them twice during the league stage.
After winning the toss, Gujarat's captain Ashleigh Gardner opted to bowl first. For Mumbai, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front, backed by explosive performances from Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt, both of whom scored 77 runs. Their impressive contribution propelled MI to a formidable total of 213 for 4.
Matthews and Sciver-Brunt's partnership was particularly notable; they combined for 133 runs for the second wicket off just 71 balls, effectively setting up the innings. Kaur chipped in with a quickfire 36 runs from just 12 balls, ensuring MI finished strong and set GG a challenging target.
Despite the strong total, MI faced a setback when Yastika Bhatia was dismissed for 15 runs early. The Gaujatians struggled right from the start of their innings. MI's opening bowlers, including Matthews, Shabnim Ismail, and the pacey Amelia Kerr, put GG on the back foot. Gardner's wicket fell for just 8 runs, out bowled by Matthews, after she opted for aggressive shots but couldn't connect adequately.
GG's innings faltered with quick losses, including key wickets of Beth Mooney (6 runs) and Harleen Deol (8 runs). By the end of the powerplay, GG stood at only 21 for 2, making their chase more difficult. A brief resistance came from Dani Gibson, who scored 34 runs but was eventually run out, struggling against MI's well-coordinated fielding effort.
Following Gibson's dismissal, GG’s batting lineup collapsed, succumbing to the pressure laid by MI's bowlers. Phoebe Litchfield and Bharti Fulmali offered some fight, scoring 31 and 30 runs, respectively, but their efforts were insufficient against MI's disciplined bowling attack. Kerr wrapped up her spell with impressive figures of 2 for 28, showcasing her skill under pressure.
Gujarat Giants were eventually all out for 166 runs, marked by their inability to build partnerships and losing wickets at key junctures. The final wicket fell with just 0.4 overs remaining, sealing MI's emphatic victory and solidifying their unbeaten record against GG with 7 wins out of 7 encounters.
This win sets up an exciting final for MI against Delhi Capitals, marking their second consecutive final appearance and aiming for redemption after finishing runners-up last season.
After the match, MI's captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed satisfaction with the team's overall performance, highlighting the depth and talent within the squad. Meanwhile, GG’s Gardner spoke of the disappointment but remained optimistic about their overall progress throughout the tournament.
Mumbai Indians will now look to capitalize on their momentum as they prepare to face the Delhi Capitals again, reminiscent of their encounter during the WPL 2023 finals. With the form of players like Nat Sciver-Brunt, who leads run-scoring charts this season, and the batting firepower shown during the Eliminator, MI aims to clinch the title this year.
All eyes will be on the final, as cricket enthusiasts anticipate what promises to be another thrilling chapter in the Women’s Premier League story.