Gujarat Giants' three-match winning streak in the WPL 2025 came to an end as we suffered a narrow defeat against Mumbai Indians in the final league match at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Monday, March 10.
Opting to bowl first, Priya Mishra, captain Ashleigh Gardner, Kashvee Gautam and Tanuja Kanwer claimed one wicket each to help us restrict MI to 179/6 in their 20 overs.
In reply, our dashing batter Bharti Fulmali smashed 61 off just 25 balls, however, it wasn’t enough as we fell short by just nine runs.
Earlier, our skipper Gardner produced a stunning direct hit to run out Amelia Kerr (5) to provide us with an early breakthrough.
Our young leg-spinner Priya Mishra then joined the party as she bagged the massive wicket of Hayley Matthews (27).
Later in the 14th over, skipper Gardner once again led from the front after she dismissed Nat Sciver-Brunt (29) to end a 59-run partnership with Harmanpreet Kaur.
Our Giants continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals as our star pacer Kashvee removed Amanjot Kaur (27) in the 17th over.
In the final over, our left-arm spinner Tanuja Kanwer bamboozled Harmanpreet as the opposition captain perished for 54 while Yastika Bhatia departed after a run out as we restricted MI to 179/6.
Chasing 180, Beth Mooney and Kashvee opened the innings for us. However, we suffered an early blow as our wicketkeeper-batter Mooney departed in the fourth over.
Despite losing Mooney early, Harleen Deol played some scintillating shots in the powerplay to put the pressure back on the bowlers. However, we then lost Kashvee, skipper Gardner and Harleen in a span of few overs.
Struggling at 54/4, our stylish southpaw Phoebe Litchfield produced a few eye-catching shots in her 22-run cameo before she fell to Shabnim Ismail in the 11th over.
Batting at No.5, Bharti Fulmali added 22 runs with Deandra Dottin before the latter was dismissed for 10.
Fulmali continued her attacking approach as she slammed a 22-ball fifty which brought us back into the game.
In the 17th over, Amelia Kerr ended Fulmali’s brilliant 61-run knock which was laced with eight fours and four sixes.
In the final few overs, Simran Shaikh (18) and Tanuja Kanwar (10) played impressive cameos, however, it wasn’t enough as we succumbed to our fourth defeat in the ongoing WPL.
After a close defeat, our Giants will now be aiming to bounce back quickly in the WPL 2025 Eliminator against either Delhi Capitals or Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, March 13.
Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 179/6 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 54; Priya Mishra 1/23) beat Gujarat Giants 170/9 in 20 overs (Bharti Fulmali 61; Amelia Kerr 3/34) by 9 runs.
