Mumbai Indians Women Advance to WPL 2025 Final with Commanding 47-Run Win Over Gujarat Giants Women

Mumbai Indians Women demonstrated their supremacy in a dramatic Eliminator match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, beating Gujarat Giants Women by 47 runs on March 13, 2025, at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium. The victory moved Mumbai into their second WPL final, setting up a thrilling match against Delhi Capitals. Mumbai established a solid score and then limited Gujarat with disciplined bowling and fine fielding, thereby ending the Giants’ season in the knockout stage.

The Gujarat Giants won the toss and chose to field first, intending to take advantage of the early conditions at Brabourne. However, the Mumbai Indians had different intentions. Openers Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews began tentatively, managing a slow powerplay against a Gujarat assault lead by rookie Danielle Gibson, who took over for the injured Deandra Dottin. Bhatia was dismissed for 14, caught at midwicket by Gibson, but her absence brought Nat Sciver-Brunt to the crease, igniting a game-changing partnership.

Sciver-Brunt and Matthews unleashed a torrent of boundaries, capitalising on Gujarat’s shoddy fielding, which resulted in four dropped catches. Sciver-Brunt’s aggressive aim was clear as she hammered 10 fours and two sixes in a sparkling 77 off 41 balls, completing her half-century in just 29 deliveries. Matthews, who started with 17 off 22, altered gears brilliantly, hitting three straight boundaries and back-to-back sixes against Priya Mishra. She, too, reached 77 from 50 balls before edging Kashvee Gautam to Beth Mooney behind the stumps.

With Mumbai at 124 for 1 after 14 overs, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur arrived determined. Her stunning 36 off only 12 balls, including two soaring sixes off Meghna Singh, helped Mumbai reach a daunting 213 for 4 in 20 overs. Gujarat’s bowlers battled, with Gibson (2/40) and Gautam (1/30) taking wickets, but the damage had been done.

Gujarat Giants needed a strong start to chase down 214, but Mumbai’s bowlers had different plans. Shabnim Ismail struck quickly, eliminating Beth Mooney for six in the opening over, caught at backward point. Harleen Deol (22) and Ashleigh Gardner (11) provided short resistance, but Gardner’s run-out and Deol’s expulsion by Matthews set off a collapse. By the end of the powerplay, Gujarat were down 43 to 3.

Danielle Gibson (34 off 24) and Phoebe Litchfield (31 off 20) gave a glimmer of hope with a 38-run partnership, but both fell in rapid succession, Gibson bowled by Amelia Kerr and Litchfield caught by Matthews. The Giants’ middle order disintegrated under pressure, as three run-outs hampered their chase. Bharti Fulmali (22) and Simran Shaikh (17) battled momentarily before Mumbai’s bowlers tightened the screws. Matthews concluded with 3/31, Kerr had 2/28, and Sciver-Brunt clinched the win with Meghna Singh’s wicket in the final over. Gujarat were knocked out for 166 in 19.2 overs, falling 47 runs short.

Hayley Matthews won the Player of the Match award for her all-around performance. Her 77 set the tone, and her three wickets, including critical breakthroughs, kept Gujarat from gaining momentum. Sciver-Brunt’s 77 was similarly important, with her aggressive strokeplay undoing Gujarat’s bowling strategy. Harmanpreet Kaur’s late cameo sealed the victory, while Mumbai’s fielding, highlighted by Harmanpreet’s diving catch to eliminate Shaikh, contrasted sharply with Gujarat’s blunders.

Gujarat’s plan to bowl first failed, as the absence of Deandra Dottin, a steady performer throughout the season, proved expensive. Coach Michael Klinger later graded his team’s fielding as “minus 20,” reflecting their problems. Despite Gibson’s courageous start and Litchfield’s effort, Gujarat were unable to resist Mumbai’s unrelenting siege.

With this victory, the Mumbai Indians improved their head-to-head record against the Gujarat Giants to 7-0 in WPL history. The victory highlighted their depth, with contributions from the bat, ball, and field. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised her team’s performance, notably Matthews and Sciver-Brunt’s poise under pressure. While disappointed, Gujarat captain Ashleigh Gardner focused on the positives, citing the development of youthful talent as a silver lining for her team.

Mumbai will now meet Delhi Capitals in the WPL 2025 final on March 15 at Brabourne Stadium, a rematch of the 2023 championship game. With their batting strength and bowling discipline blazing on all cylinders, the Mumbai Indians will like their chances of winning the title again. Following a brave but ultimately fruitless season, the Gujarat Giants must start over.