Gujarat Giants Vs Mumbai Indians Highlights, WPL 2026: GG Secure Playoffs Spot As Wareham Stars In Win Over MI

Two qualifiers confirmed – RCB, with their win last night, sealed a direct berth in the final, and tonight, the Gujarat Giants booked their place in the Eliminator. But who will they face? Three teams are still in the race for the final playoff spot. UP Warriorz are mathematically alive, but realistically, it is a battle between the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals. Their fate depends on the last league game between UP Warriorz and the Delhi Capitals. A win for Delhi will send them straight through to the Eliminator. This narrow defeat means Mumbai still hold the best net run rate among the three teams and are the only side with a positive net run rate among the contenders. That means MI will be hoping for a UP Warriorz victory, as it would take something extraordinary for UP to overhaul Mumbai’s net run rate. That game will be played on Sunday, 1st February. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as always, you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye

GG trust their template – Earlier, Gujarat Giants became the first team since the 2024 WPL final to win the toss and choose to bat, ending a streak of 40 games. The powerplay was decent before MI tightened the screws through the middle phase with a mix of pace and spin. The injection of momentum came through the 71-run stand between Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Wareham, with a 19-run over off Hayley Matthews acting as the catalyst. After just 58 runs between overs 7 and 15, Gujarat scored 61 in the final five overs to finish on 167.

GG trust their template – Earlier, Gujarat Giants became the first team since the 2024 WPL final to win the toss and choose to bat, ending a streak of 40 games. The powerplay was decent before MI tightened the screws through the middle phase with a mix of pace and spin. The injection of momentum came through the 71-run stand between Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Wareham, with a 19-run over off Hayley Matthews acting as the catalyst. After just 58 runs between overs 7 and 15, Gujarat scored 61 in the final five overs to finish on 167.

Georgia Wareham is the Player of the Match – Unbeaten 44 (26) with the bat and then 2/26 with the ball for the Aussie. Wareham says it was nice to have an impact with the bat and the ball as well. Adds she has let herself down in both aspects in the first part of the tournament. Mentions that while batting, they gave themselves a few balls to get going, which has worked for them. Tells that having a good idea of the conditions definitely helps them when batting first. Says that they have done that well and also defend well too. Further adds that she knows that her role is to bowl after the Powerplay, but the plans do not change much. Ends by saying that the plan is to attack the stumps and bring in all kinds of dismissals.

A quick chat with the Purple Cap holder – Sophie Devine says that they probably just had enough runs on the board. Adds that Ash and Wareham were excellent to get those runs and then credits the bowlers for being able to defend it. Mentions that when Harman bats like that, it is difficult to stop her, but they managed to do it, which was great. Tells that getting Hayley and Nat early was big for them. Says that not a lot has changed, as they are almost playing the same team, but they are able to sneak over the line, which is a good thing for a team. Further adds that they will use the couple of days off to rest and recover. Ends by saying that it is important to stay fresh, but they will enjoy this win and then be ready for the Eliminator.

The captain of the Gujarat Giants – Ashleigh Gardner says she is really happy with the performance and feels there are plenty of positives to take forward. Adds that while the stats may suggest otherwise, the team has always believed that their plans would work if they executed them well. Gardner points out that her side has won all their games batting first and says there is confidence in that template. She explains that they want to take the game on in the powerplay and set the game up. She acknowledges the threat posed by Harmanpreet Kaur and says the side was pleased to get over the line against such a dangerous batter. Gardner also highlights the variety in their bowling attack, noting how spinners played a big role, especially with the dew causing the ball to skid on. On a black-soil pitch, she adds, it can sometimes shoot through and stay low, which is why the focus was on keeping the stumps in play.

The captain of Mumbai Indians – Harmanpreet Kaur (Orange Cap holder) says that they were not able to execute their plans with the bat in the first six overs, and also lost wickets. Adds that they couldn’t get any impactful partnerships in the middle. Mentions that she was just looking to bat long and was also looking for some support at the other end, but unfortunately, no one was able to do that in this game. Tells that they were a bit sloppy in the field and gave away 16-17 runs, which also cost them in the end. Further adds that she was just calculating how many sixes they needed, and it was around 6-7. She thought that if she faced most balls and hit those, they could have gotten closer, but also credits the GG bowlers for sticking to their plans and doing well. Says that she likes to focus on the things she can control, but if they qualify, she will be happy. Ends by saying that she wanted to focus on this game, but unfortunately, they couldn’t do what they wanted to here.

Time for the presentation ceremony…

A lone fight from the skipper – After being reduced to 37/3, Harmanpreet Kaur stitched together a couple of partnerships, first with Amelia Kerr and then with Amanjot Kaur, to keep the chase alive. Harmanpreet took the chase deep but was left with too much to do, and the string of big overs that could have swung momentum and put the pressure back on Gujarat never quite materialised. Ashleigh Gardner did show a few nerves in the final over with a couple of full tosses, but she managed to close it out eventually.

The captain of Mumbai Indians – Harmanpreet Kaur (Orange Cap holder) says that they were not able to execute their plans with the bat in the first six overs, and also lost wickets. Adds that they couldn’t get any impactful partnerships in the middle. Mentions that she was just looking to bat long, and was also looking for some support at the other end, but unfortunately, no one was able to do that in this game. Tells that they were a bit sloppy in the field and gave away 16-17 runs, which also cost them in the end. Further adds that she was just calculating how many sixes they needed, and it was around 6-7. She thought that if she faced most balls and hit those, they could have gotten closer, but also credits the GG bowlers for sticking to their plans and doing well. Says that she likes to focus on the things she can control, but if they qualify, she will be happy. Ends by saying that she wanted to focus on this game, but unfortunately, they couldn’t do what they wanted to here.

A quick chat with the Purple Cap holder – Sophie Devine says that they probably just had enough runs on the board. Adds that Ash and Wareham were excellent to get those runs and then credits the bowlers for being able to defend it. Mentions that when Harman bats like that, it is difficult to stop her, but they manage to do it, which was great. Tells that getting Hayley and Nat early was big for them. Says that not a lot has changed, as they are almost playing the same team, but they are able to sneak over the line, which is a good thing for a team. Further adds that they will use the couple of days off to rest and recover. Ends by saying that it is important to stay fresh, but they will enjoy this win and then be ready for the Eliminator.

A stuttering start – In pursuit of 168, MI were off to a scratchy start. It was a real struggle for Sajana Sajeevan, and while she did manage to find the boundary a couple of times, it was more miss than hit. Hayley Matthews also didn’t get much strike during the powerplay, and both fell inside the first six overs. MI were dented further with the departure of Nat Sciver-Brunt.

GG trust their template – Earlier, Gujarat Giants became the first team since the 2024 WPL final to win the toss and choose to bat. Having won all four of their previous matches when batting first coming into this clash, they backed that approach again. The powerplay was decent before MI tightened the screws through the middle phase with a mix of pace and spin. The injection of momentum came through the 71-run stand between Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Wareham. After just 58 runs between overs 7 and 15, Gujarat scored 61 in the final five overs to finish on 167.

A lone fight from the skipper – After being reduced to 37/3, Harmanpreet Kaur stitched together a couple of partnerships, first with Amelia Kerr and then with Amanjot Kaur, to keep the chase alive. Harmanpreet took the chase deep but was left with too much to do, and the string of big overs that could have swung momentum and put the pressure back on Gujarat never quite materialised. Ashleigh Gardner did show a few nerves in the final over with a couple of full tosses, but she managed to close it out eventually.

A stuttering start – In pursuit of 167, MI were off to a scratchy start. It was a real struggle for Sajana Sajeevan, and while she did manage to find the boundary a couple of times, it was more miss than hit. Hayley Matthews also didn’t get much strike during the powerplay, and both fell inside the first six overs. MI were dented further with the departure of Nat Sciver-Brunt.

A ‘Giant’ leap for Gujarat! The women in orange break the Mumbai hoodoo, beating the two-time champions for the first time in the league’s history in the 9th meeting, and they have picked the perfect moment to do it. Gujarat Giants are through to the Eliminator. Harmanpreet Kaur threatened to pull a rabbit out of the hat, but it wasn’t to be. They will now have to wait and see how the final league game plays out to confirm their fate.

Ashleigh Gardner to Rahila Firdous : Gujarat Giants have done it! Ashleigh Gardner drags her length back and on middle, Rahila Firdous uses her feet and heaves it to deep square leg for just one. The celebrations can start in the Giants’ camp as they win by 11 runs and make it to the Eliminator.

That will do it for the Gujarat Giants. Rahila Firdous walks out to bat.

Ashleigh Gardner to Poonam Khemnar : OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Ashleigh Gardner has kept her calm here. She floats it up, full and around middle. Poonam Khemnar looks to swipe it across the line but gets a top edge. Ash herself calls for it, runs to her right, and takes a good catch. It is GG’s game now.

Ashleigh Gardner to Harmanpreet Kaur : Quicker one, short and on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur pulls it hard but straight towards deep square leg. She decides to take the run, but Anushka Sharma is quick to throw it to the keeper, and there is no chance for a second. Kaur is kept off strike. 13 needed in 2. Khemnar needs to hit two big ones to take this to a Super Over, barring any extras.

Ashleigh Gardner to Harmanpreet Kaur : SIX! Going, going, gone! Captain Kaur, keeping MI’s hopes alive. Ashleigh Gardner loses her grip and bowls a high full toss, on off. Harmanpreet Kaur skips down the track and carves it over deep extra cover for another biggie. 14 needed in 3 now.

Harmanpreet Kaur has taken the helmet off.

Ashleigh Gardner to Harmanpreet Kaur : Flater, short and on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur heaves it away but fails to find the gap as the ball rolls to deep square leg. She denies the run. 20 needed in 4 now.

Right then, time for the final over. Mumbai Indians need 26 runs off 6 balls. Ashleigh Gardner has taken it upon herself to close the game out.

Ashleigh Gardner to Harmanpreet Kaur : SIX! BOOM! Is Harmanpreet Kaur brewing something special here? A full toss, on middle. Kaur is not going to miss out on that, opens up her stance and clubs it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. 20 needed in 5 now.

Sophie Devine to Harmanpreet Kaur : Pitched up and around off, Harmanpreet Kaur hoicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Sophie Devine to Harmanpreet Kaur : FOUR! Superb shot! A full toss, outside off, begging to be put away. Harmanpreet Kaur just opens the face of her bat and stees it away between cover and point for another boundary.

Sophie Devine to Harmanpreet Kaur : Pitched up and outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur reaches out for it and slices it in the air over extra cover. Three fielders converge but the ball drops safely between them. Two taken.

Sophie Devine to Harmanpreet Kaur : FOUR! Much-needed for MI!

Sophie Devine to Harmanpreet Kaur : Swing and a miss! Fuller delivery and well outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur goes down across and tries to go for the big slog sweep but goes a bit too hard. She loses her shape and misses the ball.

Sophie Devine to Harmanpreet Kaur : Good length and around off, Harmanpreet Kaur steers it away but straight to short third. She denies the single.

Sophie Devine to bowl the penultimate over with MI needing 37 off 12. 3-0-12-2 so far for Devine.

Georgia Wareham to Harmanpreet Kaur : 1 run.

Georgia Wareham to Poonam Khemnar : Fires in a yorker, on middle, Poonam Khemnar jams it down the pitch. Wareham dives to her right but fails to stop it as the ball rolls behind. They cross.

Georgia Wareham to Harmanpreet Kaur : Flatter, full and on off, Harmanpreet Kaur drills it to long off for just a run.

Georgia Wareham to Poonam Khemnar : Floated, full and on off, Poonam Khemnar lofts it to long on for a single.

Sanskriti Gupta joins Harmanpreet Kaur out in the middle. 42 needed off 18 for MI. Georgia Wareham (3-0-21-1) will bowl out now.

Georgia Wareham to Sanskriti Gupta : OUT! LBW! Not sure what has happened there, but the umpire has raised his finger.

Out goes Sanskriti Gupta and in walks Poonam Khemnar.

Sanskriti Gupta joins Harmanpreet Kaur out in the middle. 42 needed off 18 for MI. Georgia Wareham (3-0-21-1) will bowl out now.

End of Over16.6

Mumbai Indians 126/5(RR: 7.41, RRR: 14)

16 Runs from this over

4

0

1(1WD)

6

1

4

0(W)

Amanjot Kaur

13(12)

Harmanpreet Kaur

55(35)

Rajeshwari Gayakwad

1/46(4)

End of Over15.6

Mumbai Indians 110/4(RR: 6.88, RRR: 14.50)

7 Runs from this over

0

0

4

1

1

1

Harmanpreet Kaur

44(31)

Amanjot Kaur

9(10)

Georgia Wareham

1/21(3)

End of Over14.6

Mumbai Indians 103/4(RR: 6.87, RRR: 13)

11 Runs from this over

1

1

6

0

2

1

Harmanpreet Kaur

38(26)

Amanjot Kaur

8(9)

Rajeshwari Gayakwad

0/30(3)

100 Runs for the team

Mumbai Indians 100/4