Harmanpreet masterclass seals second-highest chase in WPL as MI go 8-0 against Giants
Her unbeaten 71 took MI to a comfortable seven-wicket win in their chase of 193
Her unbeaten 71 took MI to a comfortable seven-wicket win in their chase of 193
Scorer: Harshith Gowda | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
11:21pm And that will be all from us. Another scintillating run-chase - we have now had two in ss many days - and we also have only one unbeaten side left in the competition now. We hope you enjoyed our coverage and we will be back with more WPL action tomorrow. Until then, from Harshith and myself (Shashwat), it is goodbye!
Harmanpreet Kaur, the Mumbai Indians captain, is also the Player of the Match: (How pleased she is) It was a good game. While bowling, we gave too many runs away. Batting wise, we were good, calculated really well. She (Amanjot) batted really well. In a tournament like this, everyday you have to try and score 200 batting first or chase these many. You know you have to go and bat for your team. We have to calculate and keep batting accordingly. When you have that much clarity, you can just execute. (On her record against the Giants) For me, every match is important. I didn't know this stat. Important for me to go in every day and bat for my team. Good to see all these (youngsters) girls taking responsibility and doing their bit for the team. Aman is someone who is willing to bat wherever. Whenever the team needs, they are there.
Vishal Pawar: "Make that 8-0 against the GG for MI women!"
Prakash: "This was the 2nd-highest score chased in the WPL. The top 5 scores have now all been chased against the Gujarat Giants."
Ashleigh Gardner, Gujarat Giants captain: It is pretty cliche but catches win matches. We pride ourselves on how we fielded in the first two games. We cannot drop world-class players. (On not bowling more tonight) If you look at the stats, I don't match up well to Harman. Sometimes as a captain, you have a tendency to under utilize yourself. Felt there were better match-ups. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and maybe I was the right match-up. Could have bowled more overs but I felt I was not the right match. (Batting finish) The best thing about us is we have so much firepower. We know what Wareham and Bharti are capable of. Really pleasing they could finish off the innings. (Decision to retire out Soni) After our batting innings, I said and told her it was the team play. She was extremely disappointed but at that stage, we needed to find boundaries and clear the ropes at the end. First game, sure there were a few nerves around for her.
Nicola Carey: My job is pretty easy coming in off the back of what Amanjot and Harmanpreet did. Been very enjoyable so far. In any game, you want to play to your strength and that is what I am trying to do. Swung and missed some times but you have to stick to it. Really good team performance. We needed 10s or 11s an over, but you can score quickly on these grounds. We wanted to put pressure back on the bowlers and make them want to do something different.
11pm A record-breaking run-chase. The highest WPL total ever chased at this venue. The highest MI have ever chased in the competition, and it was fitting that Harmanpreet struck the winning blows. In Sciver-Brunt's absence, she had even more responsibility on her shoulders and she revelled in that extra pressure. The MI skipper hit the ball to all parts and even though she rode her luck, there was no denying the quality of her innings.
Take nothing away from Carey and Amanjot as well. Both played their parts and gave Harmanpreet the time to bat deep into the innings. GG will be disappointed with how often they missed their lines and lengths, and with the catches they put down. This was their third close game in succession but after two wins, they have now encountered their first blip.
4 off 5 now
Ah, here we go again. 5 off 6. Devine to bowl. Surely not? Around the wicket
Sreeni: "The way all the teams are stacked up, the margins for winning match will be slim and teams with better fielding may come on top more often than not. Taking those half-chances, tidying up the ground fielding are the key. "
VinayMudunuru: "The best of Harman!!"
This was only the second instance of a player being retired out in a women's franchise T20 league
Her unbeaten 71 took MI to a comfortable seven-wicket win in their chase of 193
MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur said "chasing is always a better option, especially in the night games"
The likes of Devine and Gardner have been in scintillating form, but they are about to face what may be the WPL's best bowling attack