The match number 3 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 promised to be an entailing contest as both the teams looked solid on paper. But in the end, it was one-way traffic as the skipper of Mumbai Indians Women (MUM-W) had different ideas altogether. It was his magnificent innings which saw, the defending champions MI-W cross the winning line against Gujarat Giants Women (GUJ-W). This was the second consecutive win for the MI-W and with this, they go to the top of the points table.
On the other hand, GUJ-W have started its campaign on a losing note. Talking about the game it was MUM-W skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur who won the toss and elected to bowl first. The MUM-W had a dream start to their bowling as they struck thrice in the bowling powerplay. The South African quick Shabnim Ismail was the wrecker in the chief as she took three wickets removing all top three GUJ-W batters.
Tanuja Kanwar and Kathryn Bryce stitch a valuable partnership of 48 runs
This blow proved to be costly as GUJ-W never recovered from the blow. Following that they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and managed just to score 126 runs in the decided 20 overs. The youngsters Tanuja Kanwar (28) and Kathryn Bryce (25) provided much-needed help for the GUJ-W team to have something on the board that their bowlers could defend. This is also by far the lowest total in the ongoing WPL 2024.
Harmanpreet Kaur leads the defending champion to a second consecutive victory
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur with a six to finish the game! ?
– 2 in 2 for Mumbai Indians!! pic.twitter.com/wMD51VPr1S
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 25, 2024
After a subpar batting display, GUJ-W faced the challenging task of defending their modest total. MUM-W stumbled early, losing both openers for just 21 runs, with Yastika Bhatiya and Healy Matthews each contributing seven runs. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and all-rounder Kerr stabilized the innings, forging a 66-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Kerr contributed 31 runs off 25 balls with three boundaries. Kaur’s unbeaten 46 off 41 balls guided MUM-W to a comfortable victory, securing their top position with two wins in two games.
