Mumbai Indians secured a dominant 47-run victory over Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator match of WPL 2025, extending their head-to-head supremacy to 7-0. A powerful batting display, highlighted by Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, and Harmanpreet Kaur, propelled Mumbai to a daunting 213, proving too much for Gujarat to chase down. With this victory, Mumbai booked their place in the final, where they will face Delhi Capitals in a repeat of the 2023 showdown.
Match Summary
| Match Details | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Teams | Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants |
| Venue | Mumbai |
| Date | March 13, 2025 |
| Result | Mumbai Indians won by 47 runs |
| Top Scorer (MI) | Hayley Matthews – 77 (50) |
| Top Scorer (GG) | Phoebe Litchfield – 31 (20) |
| Best Bowler (MI) | Hayley Matthews – 2/34 |
| Best Bowler (GG) | Meghna Singh – 1/36 |
Batting Brilliance Sets the Stage
Matthews and Sciver-Brunt Provide the Foundation
Mumbai Indians opted to open with Yastika Bhatia, but her stay was short-lived as she managed just 14 runs before falling to Danielle Gibson. This brought in the in-form Nat Sciver-Brunt, who wasted no time getting into her rhythm. Meanwhile, Hayley Matthews initially struggled for fluency, scoring only 17 off her first 22 balls before exploding into action.
Sciver-Brunt’s aggressive approach, combined with Matthews’ acceleration, saw Mumbai push their run rate above eight an over. The duo punished short deliveries and capitalized on Gujarat’s sloppy fielding. Matthews reached her half-century off 36 balls with a towering six, and Mumbai crossed the 100-run mark in just 11 overs.
Harmanpreet Kaur Unleashes Mayhem
With six overs left, Mumbai was comfortably placed at 124/1, and it was time to launch an all-out assault. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, known for her ability to shift gears, delivered a stunning 36 off just 12 balls.
Her onslaught included a brutal 22-run over against Tanuja Kanwar, featuring two sixes and two fours. Sciver-Brunt also joined the act, smashing consecutive sixes before falling for 93. Harmanpreet added the finishing touches with two massive sixes in the final over, powering Mumbai to an imposing 213/4.
Mumbai Indians’ Batting Performance
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Nat Sciver-Brunt | 93 | 42 | 11 | 4 |
| Hayley Matthews | 77 | 50 | 8 | 3 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 36 | 12 | 3 | 3 |
| Yastika Bhatia | 14 | 14 | 3 | 0 |
Gujarat Giants Struggle in the Chase
Early Collapse Crushes Gujarat’s Hopes
Chasing 214, Gujarat Giants needed a strong start, but Mumbai’s sharp fielding and disciplined bowling ensured that never happened. Shabnim Ismail dismissed Beth Mooney early, while a terrible mix-up led to Harleen Deol’s run-out. Soon after, Ashleigh Gardner lost her off stump to Hayley Matthews, leaving Gujarat reeling at 43/3 inside the powerplay.
Litchfield’s Resistance and Middle-Order Collapse
Phoebe Litchfield tried to counter-attack with a quick 31 off 20 balls, playing elegant shots on both sides of the wicket. However, Amelia Kerr had the last laugh, stumping Litchfield with a well-disguised delivery. With the required rate climbing over 13 an over, the chase became increasingly improbable.
A series of run-outs further dented Gujarat’s innings. Gibson, Kashvee Gautam, and Bharti Fulmali all fell victim to Mumbai’s exceptional fielding, with the latter attempting a desperate charge only to be bowled by Matthews.
Gujarat Giants’ Batting Performance
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Phoebe Litchfield | 31 | 20 | 4 | 1 |
| Danielle Gibson | 34 | 24 | 3 | 1 |
| Bharti Fulmali | 27 | 15 | 3 | 1 |
| Ashleigh Gardner | 12 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
Mumbai’s Fielding Excellence
Mumbai’s fielding was on another level, displaying a stark contrast to Gujarat’s mistakes. Matthews took a brilliant diving catch to dismiss Mooney, Sanskriti Gupta’s direct hit sent Deol packing, and Amanjot Kaur’s flat throw from the deep caught Gibson short. Harmanpreet and Sciver-Brunt also held onto difficult chances, underlining Mumbai’s sharpness.
Key Fielding Contributions
| Fielder | Mode of Dismissal | Batter Dismissed |
| Hayley Matthews | Catch at slip | Beth Mooney |
| Sanskriti Gupta | Direct hit run-out | Harleen Deol |
| Amanjot Kaur | Direct hit run-out | Danielle Gibson |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | Diving catch | Simran Shaikh |
Match-Winning Bowling Display
Mumbai’s bowlers complemented their batters and fielders perfectly. Hayley Matthews was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 2/34, while Kerr, Ismail, and Harmanpreet all chipped in with crucial wickets.
Mumbai Indians’ Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Wickets | Runs |
| Hayley Matthews | 4 | 2 | 34 |
| Amelia Kerr | 4 | 1 | 29 |
| Shabnim Ismail | 4 | 1 | 28 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 2 | 1 | 16 |
Final Thoughts
Mumbai Indians showcased why they are among the most dominant teams in the WPL, excelling in every department. Their batting firepower, disciplined bowling, and top-notch fielding proved too much for Gujarat Giants. With this comprehensive victory, they now turn their attention to Delhi Capitals, setting up an exciting rematch of the 2023 final.
Can Mumbai continue their dominance and claim the WPL 2025 trophy? The grand finale promises to be an electrifying contest!
