In a commanding performance at Brabourne Stadium, the Mumbai Indians showcased their prowess by defeating the Gujarat Giants by 47 runs in the Eliminator, setting up a title showdown against the Delhi Capitals on Saturday in the WPL 2025.

Batting first on a pristine pitch, Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt each scored 77 runs, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a stunning 36 off just 12 balls, propelling MI to a formidable total of 213/4. When it was time to defend their score, Hayley excelled with her off-spin, taking 3 wickets for 31 runs, as GG was bowled out for 166 in just 19.2 overs. She received solid backing from Amelia Kerr, who captured two wickets, while Nat and Shabnim Ismail also added to the wicket tally, confirming MI’s place in the final against DC at the same venue. This matchup also serves as a rematch of the 2023 WPL final.

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Shabnim made an early breakthrough for Mumbai by taking a catch at first slip after Beth Mooney edged a delivery. Harleen Deol and Danielle Gibson combined for five boundaries until Harleen was run out following an impressive throw from Sanskriti Gupta and Yastika Bhatia.

Hayley further dented GG’s hopes by clean-bowling Ashleigh Gardner for just eight runs. Although Danielle and Phoebe Litchfield managed to score some boundaries, they struggled to keep up with the required run rate.

A powerful throw from Amanjot Kaur resulted in Danielle being run out for 34, while Phoebe fell victim to a googly from Amelia and was stumped for 31. Following a run-out mix-up for Kashvee Gautam, Bharti Fulmali and Simran Shaikh attempted to prolong the innings with a few boundaries until Hayley knocked over Bharti’s off-stump.

From that point, wickets fell regularly as Amelia, Nat, and Hayley each claimed a wicket, securing MI’s path to their second WPL final and maintaining their unbeaten record against GG in front of their home crowd, which included their team owners and IPL counterparts.

Earlier, Hayley and Nat formed a remarkable partnership, scoring 133 runs off just 71 balls for the second wicket. Hayley dominated with ten fours and three sixes in her 50-ball innings, while Nat hit 10 fours and two sixes off 41 balls. Harmanpreet then made her presence felt with an explosive 36 runs from just 12 balls, featuring two fours and four sixes, driving MI to an imposing total in this knockout match. In contrast, GG’s bowlers struggled to contain MI’s powerful batting display, compounded by poor fielding and catching.

Hayley kicked off the innings with a stylish boundary off Ashleigh Gardner and was soon dropped on five by Beth Mooney. Yastika Bhatia contributed with three boundaries in her brief stay of 15 runs before miscuing a delivery from debutante Danielle Gibson.

From then on, it was a one-sided spectacle as Hayley and Nat dominated GG’s bowlers, frequently sending the ball to the boundary. Hayley primarily scored off the back foot, including three boundaries off Priya Mishra’s opening over, while Nat focused on leg-side drives to accumulate runs.

The duo further benefited from GG’s numerous misfields, particularly around the 30-yard circle, as well as dropped catches. Hayley reached her fifty in just 36 balls, pulling Tanuja Kanwer for a six, while Nat achieved her fifty in 29 balls with a pull for another six off Danielle.

After Nat hit another six off Danielle, Hayley was dropped again on 57, and to add insult to injury, she hit Priya for two sixes and a four before edging a catch to the keeper, ending her innings at 77 off 50 balls.

In the latter stages, Priya dropped a catch from Harmanpreet, who made the most of the opportunity by smashing two fours and two sixes in a spectacular 18th over bowled by Tanuja. Although Nat fell for 77 after miscuing a shot to deep mid-wicket off Danielle, Harmanpreet continued to impress with two more massive sixes before being run out on the final delivery, leading MI to over 210 runs, a total sufficient to secure their spot in the title match.

Brief scores:

Mumbai Indians 213/4 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 77, Hayley Matthews 77; Danielle Gibson 2-40, Kashvee Gautam 1-30) defeated Gujarat Giants 166 in 19.2 overs (Danielle Gibson 34, Phoebe Litchfield 31; Hayley Matthews 3-31, Amelia Kerr 2-28) by 47 runs.