Harmanpreet Holds Her Nerve as MI Script Historic WPL Chase
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur produced a composed and commanding innings to guide the Mumbai Indians to one of the most memorable run chases in Women’s Premier League history, as they hunted down 193 to defeat the Gujarat Giants by seven wickets.
Her unbeaten 71 off 43 balls ensured Mumbai completed the second-highest successful chase in the tournament and extended their flawless head-to-head record against the Giants to 8–0.
Giants Set the Platform
Asked to bat first, Gujarat Giants made full use of the powerplay, with Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney attacking from the outset. Hayley Matthews, returning after missing the opening matches, was taken for four boundaries in the second over.
Devine survived an early scare when a chance was spilled off Shabnim Ismail, but the reprieve was brief. Ismail struck again two overs later, this time with the wicketkeeper holding on to remove Devine for eight.
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With Anushka Sharma unavailable through injury, Kanika Ahuja was promoted to No. 3 and ensured the momentum continued. She struck confidently through the covers and, alongside Mooney and later Ash Gardner, kept the scoreboard ticking. Giants reached 99 for 3 at the halfway mark before losing both Gardner and Ahuja in quick succession.
Retired Out and a Late Surge
Mumbai clawed back control after Ahuja’s dismissal. Ayushi Soni struggled for timing and, after reaching 7 off 10 balls, retired out in the 16th over — the first such instance in WPL history.
The move allowed Bharti Fulmali to enter, and she changed the complexion of the innings. After surviving two lbw appeals, she launched a late assault, taking on Nicola Carey and Amanjot Kaur. Giants collected 39 runs across the final two overs, lifting the total to a formidable 192 for 5.
MI Start Steadily in the Chase
Mumbai’s chase began positively despite the early loss of G Kamalini. Matthews provided early impetus before falling for a brisk 22 off 12 balls, bringing Harmanpreet and Amanjot together.
The pair rebuilt calmly, with Amanjot gradually finding her range. Boundaries began to flow against Georgia Wareham and Tanuja Kanwar, while Harmanpreet rotated strike efficiently through the first half of the innings.
Momentum Swings, But MI Stay Composed
Once set, Amanjot shifted gears, striking a series of clean sixes off Renuka Singh and Gardner. The breakthrough finally arrived when Devine’s slower delivery ended the 72-run stand.
That dismissal brought Carey to the crease with 84 required from 48 balls. The match swung decisively in the 16th over when Carey punished Renuka for five boundaries, reducing the equation to 39 off 24 deliveries.
Harmanpreet Seals the Chase
Harmanpreet reached her half-century in 33 balls and was handed lifelines by Gujarat’s fielders, who dropped her three times in quick succession. She capitalised ruthlessly, punishing loose deliveries and maintaining control of the chase.
With four required from five balls, Harmanpreet finished the contest in style, threading a boundary between deep square leg and deep midwicket to complete a landmark win for Mumbai.
The victory also preserved Mumbai’s remarkable record of never losing a WPL match when their captain scores a fifty — a streak that now stands at ten matches.
