In the 5th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, Mumbai Indians defeated Gujarat Giants by 5 wickets with 23 balls to spare in a low-scoring affair at the Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara.
Mumbai won the toss and chose to bowl first, delivering a clinical performance to reduce Gujarat to just 120. Hayley Mathews was outstanding with the ball, claiming 3 wickets, while Nat-Sciver Brunt and Amelia Kerr took 2 wickets each. Harleen Deol was the only batter to score above 20 for Gujarat, making 32 off 31 balls.
In response, Mumbai chased down the target comfortably, with Sciver-Brunt leading the way with a match-winning 57 off 39 balls, supported by contributions from other batters. Despite Kashvee Gautam and Priya Mishra picking up two wickets each for Gujarat, the chase was completed with ease, with Sajana Sajeevan hitting the winning four.
Nat Sciver Brunt – 2/26 (4) & 57(39)
Nat Sciver-Brunt put in an impressive all-round performance for Mumbai Indians. With the ball, she played a crucial role in restricting Gujarat Giants to a low total, finishing with figures of 2/26 in four overs. She got an early breakthrough dismissing Beth Mooney for 1 in the second over and later removed Gujarat skipper Ashleigh Gardner for 10 with a well-directed short ball.
With the bat, Sciver-Brunt anchored the chase with a vital 57 off 39 balls, including 11 boundaries. Her steady innings kept Mumbai in control as they closed in on the target. Although she was dismissed with just seven runs needed, her knock had already set up the victory, making her a key contributor in both departments.
Hayley Matthews – 3/16(4) & 17(19)
Hayley Matthews stole the show in Mumbai Indians’ victory over Gujarat Giants, claiming the Player of the Match award for her impactful bowling. She delivered a match-winning spell, taking 3 wickets for 16 runs in four overs. She first trapped Dayalan Hemalatha in the 4th over with a well-judged catch by Amelia Kerr at deep midwicket, then induced an edge from Kashvee Gautam, which was safely pouched by Yastika Bhatia behind the stumps. Her third wicket came when Simran Shaikh attempted a big shot but found Kerr in the deep.
Matthews’ crucial strikes ensured Gujarat never gained momentum, bowling them out for just 120 in 20 overs. With the bat, she managed 17 off 19 balls, striking three boundaries before falling to Kashvee Gautam in the 4th over.
Amelia Kerr – 2/22(4) & 19(20)
Amelia Kerr’s bowling was a highlight for Mumbai Indians’ ending her four-over spell with figures of 2/22. Kerr first outsmarted Deandra Dottin with a well-flighted delivery, drawing her out for a wild swing, which ended in a sharp stumping by Yastika Bhatia. Later, she removed Tanuja Kanwar with a tossed-up delivery, inducing a top-edged slog that was safely caught by Sanskriti Gupta.
With the bat, Kerr chipped in with a handy 19 runs off 20 balls, including a four and a six, but was trapped lbw by Kashvee Gautam.
Kashvee Gautam – 2/15(3) & 20(15)
Kashvee Gautam put up a commendable effort with the ball for Gujarat Giants taking two wickets for 15 runs in the three overs she bowled. Her first wicket was Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, whom she trapped lbw with a delivery slanted in on middle and off. Gautam then dismissed Amelia Kerr in a similar fashion.
Despite her disciplined bowling, her efforts weren’t enough to change the outcome, as Mumbai Indians chased down the target comfortably with 23 balls to spare. With the bat, Kashvee was Gujarat’s second-highest scorer, playing a brisk knock of 20 off 15 balls, which included two fours and a six.
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