Skip to main content
Matthews, Sciver-Brunt star to help Mumbai Indians advance to WPL final

The Mumbai Indians will take on the Delhi Capitals in the final of the Tata Women’s Premier League (WPL) on Saturday after defeating the Gujarat Giants by 47 runs in the eliminator at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

The Giants were on the back foot before a ball was even bowled as they, unfortunately, lost the services of Deandra Dottin before the toss due to injury.

The Giants lost Deandra Dottin due to injury prior to the toss.

Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner put the Indians in to bat after winning said toss and, in hindsight, that decision proved to be the wrong one.

Mumbai batted brilliantly on their way to an imposing 213-4 in their 20 overs at the crease.

Superstars Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews as well as skipper Harmanpreet Kaur were the main contributors to the total.

Nat Sciver-Brunt made 77 off 41 balls.

Sciver-Brunt and Matthews made 77, each, and shared in a 133-run second-wicket partnership.

Sciver-Brunt’s knock lasted 41 balls and included 10 fours and two sixes while Matthews hit 10 fours and three sixes in her 50-ball effort.

Hayley Matthews made 77 off 50 balls.

Kaur then provided the finishing touches with two fours and four sixes on her way to 36 off just 12 balls.

Danielle Gibson was the best bowler on a rough day for the Giants with 2-40 from her four overs.

The Giants were then dismissed for 166 with four balls remaining in their innings.

Gibson completed a good all-round performance with a top score of 34 off 24 balls while Phoebe Litchfield and Bharti Fulmali contributed 31 and 30, respectively.

Matthews picked up 3-31 from her 3.2 overs to lead the Mumbai bowling and was well supported by Amelia Kerr’s 2-28 from four overs.

Hayley Matthews celebrating one of her three wickets.

A win in Saturday’s final at the same venue would mean Mumbai would become the first team to win multiple WPL titles.

They won the inaugural edition in 2023, defeating the Capitals in the final.

For the Capitals, who also lost in the final in 2024 to the Royal Challengers Bangalore, a win would make them the third team to lift the trophy.

Pictures courtesy of BCCI.