Not the result the Mumbai Indians would’ve wanted, but huge positives to take out for the team, said the team’s Bowling Coach and Mentor, Jhulan Goswami, who was out at the post match press conference after the final league game of WPL 2025. Excerpts ..

On Hayley Matthews’ role in the side

She is already a proven international cricketer. She leads the West Indian team and is an important member in our side. She brings a lot of value to our team, opening the batting, bowls in any situation, is a good fielder. She is one of the key members in our side. It is important for her to be in the right frame of mind and enjoy her cricket. That’s all we need from her. We are not here to tell her technical stuff because she has already learnt all those things. The more she enjoys her game, her best will come for our team.

On Nat Sciver-Brunt’s innings

Nat is a gun cricketer for our team. She is one of the finest all-rounders in the world. She bats at number three, takes the responsibility of bowling in the powerplay and is a gun fielder. Today we were chasing a stiff total. No matter which ground in the world, chasing 180+ is a mind game. Nat was going so well. We thought we might close that gap. But unfortunately, she got out at the wrong time. But our players fought till the last ball. It’s a huge thing for our team.

Thoughts on the Eliminator against Gujarat Giants

Gujarat Giants have a quality side and quality players. I hope there will be a good contest. We are looking forward to this game. We will sit back and discuss and come out with a fresh plan. We have played back to back games. It is not easy coming from Lucknow and playing back to back games in this weather and in different conditions. Credit to the players and at the same time, you have to sit and relax, discuss our plans and come back harder.

On Amelie Kerr’s form

Amelia just recently was the Player of the Tournament in the ICC World Cup. These things happen because when you are playing in different conditions. These things happen as a player and you have to adapt and move forward. You have to leave what happened, look forward, and we know what she can bring to the team. Definitely we are looking forward and these things happen to any player. Nothing to worry about that. Absolutely not.

Whether the players feel fatigued after back to back games

I don’t think there is fatigue. The players are professional, they understand all those things. They prepare in such a way that they deal with that. Some days you drop catches, some days you’ll be extraordinary. Our girls have set such a standard that it doesn’t feel good when they drop catches. But these things happen on the cricket field. Whatever happened is just the past for us. We have qualified and we are going to play against Gujarat, which is the important thing.

On Amanjot Kaur’s useful contributions this season

Amanjot wasn’t getting enough opportunities in the first two seasons because Pooja (Vastrakar) was there. Unfortunately Pooja got injured this season, and Aman is taking responsibility for the team with the batting, bowling and fielding. She has added a lot of value to our side. She is bowling consistent line and lengths. She is trying her level best and it is pleasing to watch her commitment.

Thoughts on the standard of cricket in this year’s WPL

Definitely the most competitive cricket we have seen. Not just the overseas players, even the Indian players have done really well this season. That is what we want in the WPL.  

On having to now play four games in six days

It is important for us to adjust with whatever schedule we have and to go out there and play your game. At the end of the day, as a cricketer, you want to go out to the middle and play all the time. These things are beyond our control. We just focus match by match, recover as soon as possible and come back stronger. That is how we prepare.

Thoughts on the conditions on offer at Brabourne

We know the conditions here well because we had a camp in Mumbai. We know it is going to be a high-scoring ground and the outfield would be electric. We discussed all those things. We thought we might win this game and go into the final. At this moment now, we are going to play against Gujarat. Better that we be aware of all those things and execute our plans.