Gujarat Giants finally ended their losing streak against Mumbai Indians with a thrilling 11-run win to book their place in the Women’s Premier League Eliminator thanks to superb all-round efforts from captain Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Wareham.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW! Opting to bat first, Gujarat looked in trouble early on as they lost Anushka Sharma (33) and Sophie Devine (25) in quick succession for just two more runs as disciplined bowling from Amelia Kerr (2/26) and Shabnim Ismail (1/29) slowed down the scoring. But Gardner and Wareham salvaged the innings with a vital partnership of 71 runs. Gardner’s aggressive 46 off 28 balls, containing seven fours and a six, and Wareham’s 44 off 26 helped Gujarat post a competitive 167 for 4, with 61 of those runs coming in the last five overs. Chasing 168 on a tricky wicket proved difficult for Mumbai. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur fought valiantly to score an unbeaten 82 off 48 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, but the required run rate proved too steep. The Gujarat bowlers held their nerve with Gardner picking up 1/26 and Wareham returning 2/26 to dismiss key batsmen Amelia Kerr (20) and Sanskriti Gupta (0). Mumbai managed 156/7 and fell behind despite a late surge from Harmanpreet. The win marks Gujarat’s first ever win over the defending champions after eight straight defeats and secures a place in Tuesday’s Eliminator. Mumbai’s fate now hinges on Sunday’s final league match between Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already sealed the outright final spot.
