Matthews spells Magic, Mumbai Indians Demolish Gujarat Giants to Reach WPL Final
Get ready for a WPL final rematch. In a display of sheer dominance, the Mumbai Indians have stormed into the Women's Premier League 2025 final, crushing the Gujarat Giants by a whopping 47 runs in the Eliminator. Powered by a sensational all-round performance from Hayley Matthews, Mumbai not only secured their spot in the championship game but also set a new record.
Mumbai's Batting Blitz:
Put in to bat first, Mumbai Indians put on an absolute clinic, posting a staggering 213/4 – the highest-ever score in a WPL knockout match. The Brabourne Stadium witnessed a batting masterclass, primarily thanks to a phenomenal partnership between Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Although opener Yastika Bhatia fell early, Matthews and Sciver-Brunt joined forces to unleash a breathtaking assault on the Gujarat bowlers. They stitched together a 133-run partnership off just 71 balls, capitalizing on some sloppy fielding from the Giants. Matthews blazed her way to 77 off 50 balls, while Sciver-Brunt matched her with a blistering 77 off 41.
Captain Kaur's Cameo
After the dynamic duo departed, captain Harmanpreet Kaur ensured the momentum didn't slow down. Her quickfire 36 off just 12 balls, featuring two fours and four massive sixes, propelled Mumbai to their record-breaking total.
Gujarat's Chase Falters from the Start
Chasing a mammoth target, Gujarat Giants' innings got off to the worst possible start. Star opener Beth Mooney was dismissed cheaply in the very first over. While Danielle Gibson (who also picked up two wickets earlier) tried to keep the scoreboard ticking, wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.
Run-outs of Harleen Deol and Gibson herself further hampered Gujarat's chances. Captain Ashleigh Gardner's dismissal, bowled by Matthews, was a major blow. Despite some late cameos from Phoebe Litchfield and Bharati Fulmali, the Giants were eventually bowled out for 166 in 19.2 overs.
Matthews: The Star with Ball and Bat
Hayley Matthews wasn't just brilliant with the bat; she was equally impactful with the ball. Her off-spin yielded figures of 3/31, making her the undisputed star of the match. Amelia Kerr also chipped in with two crucial wickets.
The Takeaway: Mumbai's Dominance and a Final Rematch
This victory extends Mumbai Indians' unbeaten streak against Gujarat Giants to a remarkable seven matches. More importantly, it sets up a thrilling final against the Delhi Capitals – a rematch of the inaugural WPL final in 2023. Mumbai are looking like the favorites. Will Delhi Capitals be able to avenge their 2023 defeat, or will Mumbai Indians continue their dominant form and lift the WPL 2025 trophy? All eyes for the match on Saturday, March 15th. Share your predictions in the comments below.
