Mumbai Indians withstand Bharti Fulmali’s outstanding performance to edge closer to the top position | Cricbuzz.com

**WPL 2025: Mumbai Indians Edge Out Gujarat Giants to Near Top Spot**

*Authored by Cricbuzz Staff*

In a gripping encounter at the Brabourne Stadium, the Mumbai Indians (MI) maintained their formidable record against the Gujarat Giants, securing their sixth consecutive victory over the latter in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) with a narrow nine-run triumph. Leading from the front, Harmanpreet Kaur delivered a stellar performance with a half-century, crafting a pivotal 59-run partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt, who contributed a solid 38 runs. The bowling prowess of Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews was on full display as they each claimed three wickets, while Shabnim Ismail provided an economical spell, taking 2 for 17 in her allotted four overs. Despite Bharti Fulmali’s valiant knock of 61 off 25 balls, the Giants had to settle for a spot in the eliminator on March 13.

Returning to their home turf for the first time since clinching the championship in 2023, MI made a commanding start, scoring 12 runs in the opening over bowled by Deandra Dottin. However, their struggles with opening partnerships persisted as Kerr was run out for five while attempting a risky single. Dottin’s challenge was compounded by Matthews’ aggressive batting, even as she struggled for control despite early swing. The MI innings gained momentum when Sciver-Brunt capitalized on errors by Tanuja Kanwer, hitting two boundaries and a six. The Giants struck back after the strategic timeout, dismissing the dangerous Matthews via Priya Mishra, though the bowler’s inconsistency led to three boundaries in the ninth over. Despite Meghna Singh’s introduction, MI surged from 50 for 1 to 100 for 1 between overs eight and thirteen.

Ashleigh Gardner re-entered the attack, claiming the crucial wicket of Sciver-Brunt, but Amanjot Kaur, now higher in the order at No. 6, dominated Gautam with successive boundaries and a six before Gardner claimed her wicket too. As the game neared its final stages, Harmanpreet and Sajana Sajeevan each hit two boundaries in overs 18 and 19, with the former reaching her fifty, before falling early in the last over. Yastika Bhatia concluded the innings with a flourish against Kanwer, striking a boundary and a six to post a competitive 179 for 6.

Chasing a required total within 18 overs to claim the top position on the leaderboard, the Giants sent Gautam to open, but she fell quickly, reminiscent of MI’s earlier setback, as Beth Mooney was dismissed by a well-placed Matthews delivery. Harleen Deol, energized by a previous match-winning knock of 70*, signaled her intentions swiftly with three consecutive boundaries. Despite Gautam striking two fours, her stint of 10 runs from 14 balls ended with a stumping by Sanskriti Gupta. Post-PowerPlay, Ismail dismissed Gardner without scoring, causing further trouble for the Giants. Courtney Litchfield counter-attacked with three boundaries off Gupta, but Kerr’s cunning googly trapped Deol LBW, leading to a further batting collapse with the dismissal of both Litchfield and Dottin.

Fulmali ignited the Giants’ hopes with an aggressive 14-run over against Sciver-Brunt, followed by a brilliant maximum off Kerr’s bowling. Even as the requirement steepened to 80 runs from the final six overs, Fulmali deftly handled the short ball from Amanjot, concluding with a six. She creatively maneuvered against Parunika Sisodia, lofting the ball twice over the offside for boundaries, adding another towards deep midwicket. Her scintillating innings continued as she reached her half-century in 22 balls with two successive sixes off Kerr, who eventually managed to induce her wicket through strategic capture. Despite Simran Shaikh’s and Kanwer’s late efforts against Matthews and Sciver-Brunt, the Indians contained the Giants to 170 runs, ensuring a victorious closure.

**Brief Scores:**
Mumbai Indians: 179/6 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 54, Nat Sciver-Brunt 38; Priya Mishra 1-23, Ashleigh Gardner 1-27)
Gujarat Giants: 170 in 20 overs (Bharti Fulmali 61, Harleen Deol 24; Amelia Kerr 3-34, Hayley Matthews 3-38)
*Result:* Mumbai Indians triumphed by 9 runs.

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*Tags: Mumbai Indians Women, Gujarat Giants Women, Women’s Premier League 2025, Women’s Premier League 2025, 19th Match*