WPL 2024 - MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur pulls side back from brink of defeat with glorious 95*, fans call her 'legend'

After Gujarat Giants (GG) posted 190 runs, courtesy of captain Beth Mooney's 66 and Dayalan Hemalatha's 74, it seemed to be enough to defend and secure the desired win in Match 16 of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024. However, Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Harmanpreet Kaur had other plans. Her magnificent unbeaten 95 single-handedly dragged her side from the brink of defeat to an unlikely victory at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

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Following the match, which MI won by 7 wickets, Mooney and the Giants appeared visibly shocked. Mumbai were in a position of losing, but Kaur had different ideas. Witnessing the captain play a glorious innings comprising 10 fours and 5 sixes prompted netizens to hail her as a legend.

GG vs MI clash:

As for the clash, while chasing 191 to win, MI had a decent start, but things slowed down after Hayley Matthews was dismissed right after the Powerplay. Nat Sciver-Brunt struggled to get going, and Yastika Bhatia needed someone to stay with her before departing for a well-made 49 while the required run rate soared.

Harmanpreet Kaur then set the Delhi stadium ablaze. To make it simple, Mumbai needed 72 off 30 deliveries, and Kaur made it happen while she did receive some assistance from poor bowling by Gujarat. Finishing unbeaten on 95 off 48, she propelled Mumbai past Gujarat with ease. This undoubtedly shocked both GG fans and players alike, witnessing their team lose a winning game.

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This victory now propels MI to the top of the points table after seven games, securing five wins. As for GG, they remain at the bottom of the table with just one win from six games.

The Giants will next face UP Warriorz (UPW) on March 11 while the Mumbai franchise will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on March 12. 

Teams:

Mumbai Indians playing XI: Yastika Bhatia (wk), Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, S Sajana, Pooja Vastrakar, Humaira Kazi, Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque

Gujarat Giants playing XI: Laura Wolvaardt, Beth Mooney (c & wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ashleigh Gardner, Dayalan Hemalatha, Bharati Fulmali, Kathryn Bryce, Sneh Rana, Tanuja Kanwar, Meghna Singh, Shabnam Md Shakil.