Harmanpreet Kaur is in spectacular form during the fourth season of the Women's Premier League. The Indian captain and Mumbai Indians skipper played a match-winning knock on Tuesday night at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. She smashed an unbeaten 71 runs off just 43 deliveries, including seven fours and two sixes. Her brilliant innings guided Mumbai Indians to a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Gujarat Giants with four balls remaining.
Harmanpreet Kaur Dominates the Run Charts
With this performance, Harmanpreet Kaur has now scored 165 runs in three matches at an impressive average of 165.00. She currently leads the run-scoring charts in WPL 2026. During her fabulous knock, the 36-year-old batter achieved a significant milestone. She hit a four off Rajeshwari Gayakwad over the covers to become only the second player in WPL history to surpass 1,000 runs. Her Mumbai Indians teammate, Nat Sciver-Brunt, was the first to reach this landmark.
Mumbai Indians Maintain Dominance Over Gujarat Giants
This victory means Mumbai Indians have maintained their perfect record against Gujarat Giants. They have now defeated them eight times in a row. The win marks MI's second triumph in three matches, placing them second in the points table. Gujarat Giants suffered their first loss in three games and now occupy the third position.
Chasing a challenging target of 193 runs, Mumbai Indians faced early setbacks. They lost both openers quickly, with only 37 runs on the board in the fifth over. Hayley Matthews, playing her first competitive match in six months, scored 22 runs before getting caught. Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia was stumped brilliantly by Beth Mooney for 13 runs.
Key Partnerships Steer Mumbai to Victory
Harmanpreet Kaur then joined forces with Indian all-rounder Amanjot Kaur to rebuild the innings. The duo added 72 runs in just 44 balls for the third wicket, keeping Mumbai Indians in the hunt. Amanjot contributed a valuable 40 runs off 26 balls, hitting seven boundaries. Gujarat Giants briefly regained hope when Amanjot was dismissed, caught by Ashleigh Gardner off Sophie Devine's bowling.
However, Harmanpreet found another reliable partner in Mumbai Indians' new recruit, Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey. The pair put together an unbeaten partnership of 84 runs in just 43 balls for the fourth wicket. Carey remained not out on 38 runs from 23 deliveries, striking six fours. Their blazing stand helped Mumbai Indians complete a record-breaking run chase.
This successful chase of 193 runs is the highest total ever chased at the DY Patil Stadium in WPL history. It also marks Mumbai Indians' highest-ever chase in the competition. Harmanpreet Kaur fittingly struck the winning blows, taking full responsibility in the absence of Nat Sciver-Brunt, who missed the game due to illness.
Gujarat Giants Post Competitive Total
Earlier in the match, Gujarat Giants posted a formidable total of 192 for five after being asked to bat first. A powerful late charge by Georgia Wareham and pinch-hitter Bharti Fulmali propelled their innings. Wareham scored 43 runs off 33 balls, while Fulmali remained unbeaten on 36 runs from just 15 deliveries. The duo added 56 runs for the sixth wicket in only 24 balls.
Fulmali's innings was particularly explosive. She justified the Gujarat Giants coaching staff's unusual decision to promote her up the order. The 31-year-old batter, who has played two T20Is for India, provided much-needed impetus at the death. She overturned two consecutive LBW appeals early in her cameo by using the DRS. Fulmali then plundered 23 runs off Amanjot Kaur's final over, hitting two massive sixes off full tosses.
In the penultimate over, Fulmali bludgeoned Nicola Carey for two fours and a six. She took 16 runs off that over as Gujarat Giants smashed 39 runs from the last two overs. This late onslaught set up a challenging target for Mumbai Indians.
Other Notable Performances
Kanika Ahuja played a stroke-filled innings of 36 runs off just 15 balls for Gujarat Giants. Her knock included four boundaries and two sixes. She added 42 runs with Beth Mooney for the second wicket and 33 runs with skipper Ashleigh Gardner for the third wicket. Gujarat Giants maintained an aggressive approach from both ends until Ahuja was dismissed.
For Mumbai Indians, pacer Shabnim Ismail bowled an economical spell, conceding only 25 runs in her four overs while taking one wicket. Amanjot Kaur had a mixed night - she proved expensive with the ball, giving away 48 runs in four overs without taking a wicket. However, she made up for it with a sparkling knock with the bat.
Gujarat Giants faced a setback before the match as Madhya Pradesh batter Anushka Sharma was ruled out due to injury. She suffered the injury while attempting a brilliant save at the boundary in the previous match against Delhi Capitals.
This victory reinforces Mumbai Indians' strong position in WPL 2026. Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership and batting form continue to be crucial for their campaign. The team will look to build on this momentum as the tournament progresses.
