Mumbai Indians Women vs Gujarat Giants Highlights: Harmanpreet Kaur, Sciver-Brunt star as Mumbai Indians make it 5 wins in 5, beat Gujarat Giants by 55 runs

Mumbai Indians Women vs Gujarat Giants Cricket Highlights: Captain Harmanpreet Kaur continued her sublime form and provided a masterclass in how to play spin as Mumbai Indians became the first team to advance to the playoffs of the Women’s Premier League at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday. With their fifth win, by a huge margin of 55 runs vs Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians remained unbeaten and increased their lead at the top of the table. Mumbai Indians also became the first team to successfully defend a sub 200 total in the tournament. Follow Women’s Premier League LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN

Also Read: WPL Most Consecutive Loss: Smriti Mandhana’s Royal Challengers Bangalore on course to emulate Virat Kohli & Co for most consecutive losses, fans mock RCB after 5th loss, Check Out

Mumbai Indians Women vs Gujarat Giants Highlights: MI Women QUALIFY for Playoffs, Harmanpreet Kaur, Sciver-Brunt star as Mumbai Indians make it 5 wins in 5, beat Gujarat Giants by 55 runs – Watch Highlights

The day didn’t begin in perfect fashion for MI as they were asked to bat first after losing the toss. There was soon further trouble as Hayley Matthews suffered a rare failure and was dismissed for a duck in the first over by Ashleigh Gardner.

The in form pair of Yastika Bhatia and Nat Sciver-Brunt then consolidated with Bhatia being the aggressor, while Sciver-Brunt was solid at the other end.

Bhatia again was fluent in the Powerplay, with her driving through the off side being the standout again. Sciver-Brunt also got going with a couple of big hits against Annabel Sutherland and Kim Garth. Just when it looked like she was using the long handle effectively, Garth dismissed her for 36.

Bhatia was then dismissed in the 40s for the third match in a row as she was run out for 44 off 37 balls after going for a non-existent single and being turned down by Kaur.

Mumbai Indians Women vs Gujarat Giants Highlights: MI Women QUALIFY for Playoffs, Harmanpreet Kaur, Sciver-Brunt star as Mumbai Indians make it 5 wins in 5, beat Gujarat Giants by 55 runs – Watch Highlights

Post that, it was all a Kaur show as she showed her full range of strokes on a pitch that was offering lots of turn.

Kaur used her feet to great effect, clearing the leg side boundary with ease with her signature lofted shots. She was particularly severe on Gardner, driving her for four through the off side and also throwing her off her lengths by using the sweep shot effectively.

Kaur became the first batter to score three WPL fifties, finishing with 51 off 30 before her innings was ended by a splendid diving catch by Harleen Deol on the deep midwicket boundary. She received good support from Amelia Kerr, who scored a brisk 19.

Kaur was named the Player of the Match for her effort, her third of this tournament. Speaking about the reasons behind the team’s success, she said, “Everyone is so positive and wants to do well for the team. I have to give thanks to the support staff. Whenever you show trust to the team, that is when you do well.”

Kaur’s inning helped MI finish with 162/8, a total that proved to be well over par eventually. Sciver-Brunt provided the perfect start with the ball as she sent Sophia Dunkley back for a duck on the very first ball of the innings.

Gujarat kept losing wickets at regular intervals after that as they only managed 107/9 in 20 overs. Such was MI’s dominance that no Gujarat batter managed to cross 22.

Sciver-Brunt (3/21) and Matthews (3/23) both picked 3-fers, while Kerr capped off a fine all-round show with 2/18.

Speaking after the match, Sciver-Brunt said Mumbai were only focusing on their own performances. “We’re just trying to be consistent. We’ve got players taking wickets and scoring runs well. We just don’t want to be complacent. We’re doing well, playing from the heart and enjoying ourselves.”

Mumbai Indians will face UP Warriorz in their next match on 18^th March.