WPL 2023 Highlights Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians: Harmanpreet Kaur Stars as All-round Mumbai Outclass Gujarat in Historic Clash

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s impressive fifty (65 off 30), followed by Saika Ishaque’s sensational four-fer (4/11) led Mumbai Indians to a dominant 143-run victory over Gujarat Giants in the opening match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, here on Saturday.

Kaur’s historic fifty powered Mumbai Indians to an imposing 207 for five in 20 overs. Apart from Harmanpreet, Amelia Kerr (45 not out off 24) and Hayley Matthews (47 off 31) also played valuable knocks for MI.

Chasing a huge total, Gujarat batters had immense pressure on Gujarat and they crumbled under that. With Mooney getting injured in the first over, they were already staring down the barrel.

Saika Ishaque gets her fourth wicket of the night to seal the victory for Mumbai Indians and it’s a massive win as they beat Gujarat Giants by 143 runs. Sheer domination from Mumbai Indians in the opening match of Women’s Premier League which will be remembered for a very long time. Gujarat need to assess the mistakes soon as they will return to action tomorrow against UP Warriorz. Mumbai Indians (207/5) Thrash Gujarat Giants (64) by 143 Runs

Hayley Matthews into the attack and Monica Patel got enough room to free her arms. A good over for Gujarat Giants as eight runs came off it. The Gujarat tail has shown great fight here. GG 64/8 in 15 overs

Monica Patel hits a boundary as Gujarat Giants reach fifty in 13.3 overs. At one stage even 50 looked like a task for Gujarat Giants. An embarrassing night just got a bit better for Gujarat here. 7 runs came off the over. GG 56/8 in 14 overs

Saika Ishaque gets her third wicket of the match as Mansi Joshi departs for 6. The on-field umpire thought there was an edge but Harmanpreet Kaur took the review and it worked in her and Mumbai Indians’ favour. GG 49/8 in 12.4 overs

Dayalan Hemalatha and Mansi Joshi are showing some grit and resilience here as they are marching towards the 50-run mark. Five runs came off the last over. GG 49/7 in 12 overs

Dayalan Hemalatha is having fun now as she slams another six and this time it came off against Pooja Vastrakar. It’s important for Gujarat to find a positive from this game and Hemalatha can definitely make the cut if she plays a few shots like this. GG 44/7 in 11 overs

Dayalan Hemalatha finally breaks the shackles as she hits the first six of the tournament for Gujarat Giants. She ended the over with a boundary which might delight the Gujarat fans who have suffered a lot so far in this game. GG 36/7 in 10 overs

Just one run came off Pooja Vastrakar’s over as it seems like an achievement for Gujarat Giants batters. Shambolic performance for Gujarat Giants so far in all three departments. GG 24/7 in 9 overs

OUT! Tanuja Kanwar departs for a duck! Gujarat Giants have a lot of things to assess after this match. It’s just embarrassing to perform like this on such a big level. GG 23/7 in 7.4 overs

OUT! Amelia Kerr comes into the attack and at the very first ball she gets the better of Sneh Rana. Embarrassment continues for Gujarat Giants as they are six down with just 23 runs on the scoreboard and you can also count it as seven as Beth Mooney might not return to bat. GG 23/6 in 7.1 overs

OUT! Gujarat are no match for Mumbai Indians as Georgia Wareham is the latest batter to get back to the pavilion. Wicket number two for Saika Ishaque as Mumbai Indians are now having fun in the middle as they are marching towards a massive victory. GG 22/5 in 6.5 overs

A forgettable powerplay for Gujarat Giants as they already look down and out from the game with a required run rate of 13.64 and five batters back in hut (Beth Mooney retired hurt). Gujarat will want their players to express themselves from here. GG 17/4 in 6 overs

OUT! Another one falls for Gujarat Titans as Dayalan Hemalatha departs for just 6. Nothing absolutely nothing has gone in Gujarat Giants favour in this innings. Saika Ishaque gets her first wicket. GG 12/4 in 4.4 overs

Another tidy over from Issy Wong as only three runs came off it. This match is now reminding us of the IPL opener where KKR posted 200-plus courtesy of Brendon McCullum’s carnage and then RCB were bundled out for just 82. GG 11/3 in 4 overs

OUT! Things have turned bad to worse for Gujarat Giants here as Sabbhineni Meghana departed for just 2. Four Gujarat Giants batters are back in the hut inside three overs in a massive 208-run chase. Nat Sciver-Brunt gets another one here as she hits the timber this time. GG 5/3 in 2.2 overs

OUT! Golden Duck for Ashleigh Gardner as Issy Wong gets her name on the wickets tally early. The premier Aussie all-rounder was surprised by the pace of the delivery and got caught at first slip by Hayley Matthews. Gujarat Giants are in massive trouble here. GG 3/2 in 1.2 overs

OUT! Nothing is going in Gujarat Giants’ favour as Harleen Deol departs for a duck as Nat Sciver-Brunt gets her first wicket of WPL. Giants are in massive trouble here as their Beth Mooney is also in hut after getting injured and they have lost two batters in the first over itself. GG 1/1 in 1 over

Beth Mooney walking back towards pavilion as she is retired hurt for now.

Beth Mooney is looking in a bit of discomfort. She is feeling the pain in the knee as the physio is out in the middle.