Mumbai Indians recorded an easy five-wicket win against Gujarat Giants in the third match of the Women's Premier League 2024 on Sunday, February 25. Amelia Kerr produced an impressive all-round performance to inspire Mumbai to the top of the league points table.
Opening their WPL 2024 campaign, Gujarat batters struggled early against Shabnin Ismail's pace and then Kerr dominated the innings with four wickets. Debutant Kathryn Bryce and Indian bowler Tanuja Kanwar added some crucial runs in the closing stages to help the Giants post 126/9 batting first at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Mumbai Indians also struggled for a start losing three early wickets but a 66-run stand between Amelia Kerr and Harmanpreet Kaur for the fourth wicket was enough for title defenders to clinch an easy win with 11 balls remaining. Harmanpreet finished the game with a huge six off Sneh Rana as she top-scored with 46* off 41 balls.
Harmanprete Kaur won the crucial toss and elected to field first with the same playing eleven that beat Delhi Capitals in the season opener. Gujarat Giants handed a debut to four players, including high-profile signing Phoebe Litchfield.
Shabmim gave Mumbai a sensational start with the wicket of veteran Veda Krishnamurthy on the fourth delivery of the game. The Proteas star then dismissed Harleen Deol on a lbw in the third wicket to our Gujarat under pressure. Gujarat batters struggled to find momentum and lost the first seven wickets inside 14 overs with just 78 runs on the scoreboard.
Debutant Kathryn Bryce and uncapped Indian spinner Tanuja Kanwar then added 48 runs for the eighth wicket as Gujarat posted 126/9 in 20 overs. Kerr picked four wickets for 17 while Shabnim bagged three for 18 for Mumbai.
After impressing with a bat, Bryce and Kanwar shone with one early wicket each to balance the game. But Harmanpreet and Kerr's 66-run stand for the fourth wicket proved the difference. Mumbai lost Kerr in the 16th over who scored 31 runs but Harmanpreet remained unbeaten to see her team off to the finish line. Kerr bagged the Player of the Match award for her 31 runs and four wickets.
Gujarat Giants Playing XI: Beth Mooney (c & wk), Veda Krishnamurthy, Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Ashleigh Gardner, Dayalan Hemalatha, Sneh Rana, Tanuja Kanwar, Kathryn Bryce, Lea Tahuhu, Meghna Singh.
Mumbai Indians Playing XI: Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, S Sajana, Shabnim Ismail, Keerthana Balakrishnan, Saika Ishaque.
