In the third match of the WPL 2024 season, held at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, Mumbai Indians faced off against Gujarat Giants. After winning the toss, MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bowl first. Gujarat Giants set a target of 127 runs, but a stellar bowling performance from MI’s Amelia Kerr, who claimed four wickets, restricted GG to 126/9 in their 20 overs.
WPL 2024: Highlights of the Match MI vs GG
In the match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Giants (GG) during the WPL 2024 season, MI’s bowler Shabnim Ismail displayed an exceptional performance by taking three wickets.
Tanuja Kanwar emerged as the top-scorer for GG, contributing 28 runs off 21 balls, including four boundaries. Chasing a target of 127 runs, MI successfully reached 129/5 in 18.1 overs. MI’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur played a crucial unbeaten innings, scoring 46 runs off 41 balls to guide her team to victory. On the other hand, Tanuja Kanwar also made an impact with the ball, taking two wickets for GG during MI’s chase.
New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr continued her impressive performance with a 31 off 25 balls, aiding Mumbai Indians (MI) as they chased down the target in 18.1 overs, despite a shaky start at 21 for two in the fourth over. Kerr found support from MI’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, who remained unbeaten with 46 runs off 41 balls, forming a crucial partnership of 66 runs for the fourth wicket. MI secured their second consecutive win in the tournament. Additionally, Nat Sciver and Brunt contributed well with the bat, with Sciver scoring 22 runs off 18 balls, showcasing innovative and well-timed shots, including scoops behind the wicketkeeper for boundaries off pacer Leah Tahuhu.
MI’s Kerr and Harmanpreet Lead Composed Chase After Brunt Setback
Despite a setback with Brunt being run out, Mumbai Indians (MI) found resilience through Kerr and Harmanpreet’s game awareness. With a modest target to chase, the duo didn’t rush, focusing on rotating the strike and occasional boundaries. Harmanpreet’s elegant boundary past point and Kerr’s lap over the stumps for four off Tahuhu highlighted their composed approach.
However, Kerr eventually fell while attempting another scoop off Tahuhu. Nevertheless, her contribution was significant. Earlier, Kerr and the experienced pacer Shabnam Ismail (3/18) applied pressure on Gujarat Giants’ batting line-up.
Ismail, despite retiring from international cricket, displayed her prowess by dismissing Veda Krishnamurthy and Harleen Deol with deliveries that swung back into them. Brunt also contributed by dismissing Phoebe Litchfield, leaving Giants struggling at 43/3 after the Power Play.
As Giants failed to find boundaries for 44 consecutive balls and lost wickets at regular intervals, their innings spiraled downwards. Captain Beth Mooney’s dismissal further compounded their troubles, with Kerr adding to their woes by dismissing Ashleigh Gardner and Sneh Rana in quick succession in WPL 2024.
Although Bryce and Kanwar staged a late fightback with a partnership of 48 runs for the eighth wicket, Giants could only add a semblance of respectability to their total.
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