MI take on in-form Giants with eye on top spot

With two games left in the league stage, Mumbai Indians will look to make the most of the opportunity and push for a first-place finish on the WPL points table, starting with the clash against in-form Gujarat Giants here on Monday.

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UP Warriorz’s win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 12 runs knocked the defending champions out from the race to the playoffs on Saturday, confirming the qualification for Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants in the process. But what remains is the final classification of the points table. Harmanpreet Kaur’s MI return to the Brabourne Stadium — their home ground where they had won the inaugural edition in 2023 — for the final leg of the third WPL.

The team that tops the points table at the end of the league round will get a direct entry into the final and MI, who play back-to-back matches on Monday and Tuesday, will aim to go past DC who are currently at the first spot with 10 points and a net run rate of 0.396.

For MI, topping the table will also help them avoid a possible fourth game in a span of six days — the Eliminator — which could test the squad to the hilt in hot and humid conditions.

MI are currently third with 8 points and NRR of 0.267 and if they win both these matches — against GG and RCB — they can finish at the top with a maximum of 12 points.

The Giants, currently placed second with 8 points and NRR of 0.334, can finish at best with 10 points provided they beat Mumbai Indians, which would place them at even keel with DC. In such a scenario, the NRR will determine how teams are placed on the points table.

The teams that finish second and third will meet in the Eliminator on Thursday, with the summit clash slated to be played on Saturday.

But it won’t be an easy task to begin with for MI as the Giants have been on a roll recording three heavy wins on the trot to make it to the knockouts. Not only have the Giants batters been firing in unison, their bowlers have also found their rhythm which makes them a side to beat in this knockouts round. A maiden appearance in the WPL playoffs would certainly inspire the Giants, who turned things around after a dismal start.