Mumbaiiii, we have arrived, in style! But this was no walk in the park. An edge of the seat thriller all the way through, but the our bowlers held their nerves, kept clawing back in with regular wickets, and ensured Mumbai Indians’ unbeaten streak over the Gujarat Giants stretched to another game.

2-0 in 2023. 2-0 in 2024. 2-0 in 2025.

A batting hit-a-thon

We knew the pitch and the conditions at the Brabourne Stadium would be very batting friendly, and boy, it lived up to its reputation big time. All of MI’s batters got quick starts, and the hitting just continued right until the end, setting the Giants a target of 180.

The Kaur show

Kaptaan Kaur’s love affair with Mumbai is very well documented over the years. Today, she walked out in the eighth over after Hayley Matthews (27 off 22) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (38 off 31) put on a solid second wicket stand. But Harman took it to the next level, with nine fours in her 33-ball knock of 54, and found perfect foil in fellow Kaur, Amanjot, whose 15-ball 27 was just the impetus this innings needed at the death to finish strong.

Fiery Shabnim tightens the screws

After Hayley and Sanskriti Gupta drew first blood, Shabnim Ismail, pacy and fiery as usual, delivered the biggest blow, getting the dangerous Gujarat skipper, Ash Gardener for a duck, and followed it soon after with the scalp of Phoebe Litchfield, who was looking to cut loose. Amelia Kerr chipped in with three wickets, and just when it looked like Mumbai were well in control, came the twist.

Fulmali, Simran send a scare

This is what the WPL is all about. Young Indian players stepping up, taking on some of the best in the business. Tonight was Bharti Fulmali’s turn. With eight fours, four sixes and a 25-ball 61, she brought the Giants back, sent a major scare in the Mumbai Indians’ camp, and nearly looked like running away with the game. Simran Shaikh (18) gave her good support. But it was Amelia’s experience that won the battle in the end. After being hit for two sixes and a four off successive deliveries, Kerr had it in her to flight the ball wide and entice Fulmali again, who couldn’t resist, only to slice it to short third man. 

Phew. We could breathe easy. And we could walk home with our unbeaten record intact, along with at least a second spot confirmed on the points table. Paltan, we know you’ve enjoyed every bit of it from the stands or from your screens. You’ve been the perfect 12^th player in our side tonight! Your cheers have carried us over the finish line.