Inaugural champions Mumbai Indians will face Gujarat Giants, who have advanced to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) playoffs for the first time, in the 2025 Eliminator. The match is scheduled for the 13th of March 2025, at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, starting at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Mumbai Indians, who were eliminated in the playoffs last season by eventual champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, hold an impressive unbeaten 6-0 record against Gujarat Giants. This season, Mumbai secured their playoff spot with 5 wins from 8 games, while Gujarat advanced with 4 wins.
Squads:
Mumbai Indians
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Akshita Maheshwari, Amandeep Kaur, Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Chloe Tryon, Hayley Matthews, Jintimani Kalita, Keerthana Balakrishnan, Nadine de Klerk, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sajeevan Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, G. Kamalini, Yastika Bhatia, Parunika Sisodia, Saika Ishaque, Shabnim Ismail
Gujarat Giants
Ashleigh Gardner (C), Harleen Deol, Prakashika Naik, Beth Mooney, Kashvee Gautam, Priya Mishra, Bharti Fulmali, Laura Wolvaardt, Sayali Satghare, Danielle Gibson, Mannat Kashyap, Shabnam Shakil, Dayalan Hemalatha, Meghna Singh, Simran Shaikh, Deandra Dottin, Phoebe Litchfield, Tanuja Kanwer
Players to watch out:
Hayley Matthews
The 26-year-old all-rounder, from 27 WPL appearances, has amassed 678 runs at an average of 26.07 and a strike rate of 120.21, with the highest score of 77*. She has also struck 37 wickets at an economy rate of 7.08, with the best of 3/5. While Hayley has failed to convert multiple starts, managing only two fifties, she has struck 14 wickets from eight outings. It’ll be hoped she steps up with the bat while continuing in this bowling form.
Nat Sciver-Brunt
The 32-year-old all-rounder, from 27 WPL outings, has amassed 920 runs at an average of 46.00 and a strike rate of 140.45, while also bagging 28 wickets at an economy rate of 7.67, with bests of 80* and 3/18. Nat kicked off this season with scores of 80*, 57, 42, and 75*, and built on her recent starts of 18, 37, and 38 with a 69 in her most recent outing, striking at 151.82. She also has 8 wickets and can be trusted for the goods.
Ash Gardner
The 27-year-old all-rounder, from 24 WPL outings, has accumulated 559 runs at a strike rate of 141.16 while also scalping 25 wickets, including the best of 3/31, maintaining an economy rate of 8.36. Gardner kicked off this season with a fluent 79* and followed it up with a 52 in the subsequent game, also claiming a couple of wickets in both outings. She has since not found much success, but she can be counted on to deliver with an all-round effort.
Deandra Dottin
The 33-year-old all-rounder has had an impactful debut season so far, adding 142 runs to the tally from 8 outings, striking at 154.34, and also picking up 9 wickets at an economy rate of 8.42, with bests of 33* and 2/14. She has provided key breakthroughs and consistently managed starts, and she should be backed to capitalize on this form, producing a big knock with the bat and extending this rewarding run.
Pitch:
The 22-yard strip at Brabourne Stadium offers a good batting surface, as reflected in the average score in the 170s. While both pacers and spinners can extract some assistance, they will need to maintain strict discipline to create wicket-taking opportunities.
Weather:
It will be a pleasant day for cricket in Mumbai, with temperature forecasted to hover around 29°C, with light winds, and 53% humidity. With clear skies, we are in a complete game of cricket.
Fantasy playing XI:
Beth Mooney, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Ashleigh Gardner, Deandra Dottin, Kashvee Gautam, Amanjot Kaur, Shabnim Ismail
Match details:
Date – March 13, 2025
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
Broadcast – The game will be live streamed on Jio Hotstar and will be telecasted on Star Sports.
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