Mumbai Indians stormed into the Final of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, defeating Gujarat Giants by a convincing 47-run margin in the Eliminator. Mumbai’s highest WPL total proved too steep for Gujarat, who were left to regret their dropped catches and run-outs that ultimately cost them the match.
Put in to bat, Mumbai Indians made the most of the opportunity, posting a formidable 213/4. The platform was laid by Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews, who shared a brilliant 133-run stand. Harmanpreet Kaur then provided the finishing touches, accumulating 36 runs off just 12 deliveries. Gujarat’s debutant Danielle Gibson was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets.
Gujarat’s chase got off to a rocky start, and they never quite recovered. Despite Danielle Gibson, Bharti Fulmali, and Phoebe Litchfield showing some resistance, the required run rate proved too difficult. Hayley Matthews was the chief destroyer, picking up three wickets, while Amelia Kerr chipped in with two wickets to seal the deal for Mumbai Indians and send them into the Final.
Highlights from the match:
Hayley Matthews – 77(50) & 3/31(3.2)
Hayley Matthews played a sensational knock in the Eliminator making her presence felt with both bat and ball. She scored a blistering 77 off 50 balls, laced with 10 fours and 3 sixes. Matthews was particularly dominant against Priya Mishra, smashing three consecutive boundaries in the 8th over, followed by another flurry of boundaries and sixes later in the innings. Her six over extra cover in the 16th over was a standout shot, showcasing her class and power. Eventually, her brilliant innings came to an end in the 17th over when she edged a delivery from Kashvee Gautam to wicketkeeper Beth Mooney.
On the bowling front, she chipped in three wickets. Her first breakthrough came in the sixth over when she outfoxed Ashleigh Gardner. Later, she struck again in the 16th over, deceiving Bharti Fulmali. Matthews put the final nail in the coffin in the 20th over, dismissing Meghna Singh.
Nat-Sciver Brunt – 77(41) & 1/31(4)
Nat Sciver-Brunt was at her dominant best in the Eliminator, crafting a magnificent 77 off 41 balls to power Mumbai to a towering 213. Her innings was studded with 10 fours and 2 sixes. She started aggressively, racing to 14 off six balls with back-to-back boundaries off Danielle Gibson. As the innings progressed, she took complete control, bringing up her half-century with a stunning flat six over deep mid-wicket. Another towering six over long-on soon followed, as she dictated terms to the Gujarat bowlers. Her outstanding knock ended in the 19th over when she mistimed a slog, offering a catch to deep mid-wicket. Sciver-Brunt also made an impact with the ball, finishing with 1/31 in four overs, dismissing Tanuja Kanwar.
Harmanpreet Kaur – 36(12)
The Mumbai Indians’ skipper lit up the match with a breathtaking 36 off just 12 balls, striking at a phenomenal 300. Her late blitz powered the team to a commanding total, as she unleashed 4 sixes and 2 fours in a ruthless display of power-hitting. She started cautiously but soon switched gears, smashing Tanuja Kanwar for a six over deep cover, then carving two consecutive boundaries through point and backward point, before launching a monstrous slog-sweep over cow corner. The fireworks continued in the final over as she launched two massive sixes off Meghna Singh, clearing long-off and deep cover with effortless ease. Just when it seemed she would finish unbeaten, a run-out on the last ball ended her innings.
Amelia Kerr – 2/28(4)
Amelia Kerr once again proved her value with the ball, delivering a tight spell of 2/28 in four overs to dismantle Gujarat’s chase. She struck first in the 12th over, outfoxing a well-set Phoebe Litchfield with a beautifully flighted delivery that dipped late, drawing the batter out of her crease before Yastika Bhatia completed an easy stumping. Kerr returned in the 18th over to dismiss Simran Shaikh, rushing her into a false stroke with a quicker delivery that took a leading edge. Her clever variations and ability to break crucial partnerships once again highlighted why she is one of Mumbai’s most reliable bowlers.
Danielle Gibson – 2/40(4) & 34(24)
Danielle Gibson made an impactful debut for Gujarat. Though her debut ended in defeat, Gibson’s fighting spirit was a big takeaway for the team. With the ball, she picked up 2/40 in four overs. She struck early by dismissing Yastika Bhatia with a short ball that held in the pitch and later removed the dangerous Nat Sciver-Brunt with a well-placed delivery.
With the bat, opening the innings, she contributed a fighting 34 off 24 balls, striking five boundaries and a six to keep Gujarat in the hunt. Her aggressive intent was evident, including a clean hit over mid-off for six off Amanjot Kaur and a smart reverse sweep for four against Saika Ishaque. However, an unfortunate run-out cut short her promising innings at a crucial juncture.
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