WPL: Giants stand in Mumbai Indians path to final

Harmanpreet Kaur’s ability to unflinchingly guide Mumbai Indians in difficult situations could be the clinching factor for the former champions when they take on Gujarat Giants — a team they have vanquished twice this season — in the Women’s Premier League Eliminator here on Thursday.

With Delhi Capitals already sitting snugly in the final after topping the WPL table with 10 points, the focus is now on India skipper Harmanpreet and Gujarat Giants’ captain Ashleigh Gardner to guide their sides into the title round.

Mumbai Indians would certainly enjoy the home advantage as the match will be played at the Brabourne Stadium and the fact that they overwhelmed Gujarat Giants in their penultimate league game here on Monday, with Harmanpreet blazing to a 33-ball 54 in the nine-run victory.

Mumbai Indians’ playing XI has largely remained unchanged with Hayley Matthews giving them flourishing starts while also tormenting the opponents with her off-spin. She broke the back of Giants, returning with figures of 3/16 in Vadodara last month and again tormented them in the return match at Brabourne, snaring three wickets.

With Nat Sciver-Brunt doing the bulk of the scoring for MI, smashing four half-centuries and emerging as the top run-getter this season with 416 runs from eight matches, the onus would be on GG bowlers to tie down the England stalwart.

Sciver-Brunt’s wicket-taking ability too cannot be underestimated, given that she along with Matthews have played a pivotal role in MI’s successful run this season. While Harmanpreet’s form has been patchy this season, her half-century on Monday would have given her enough confidence going into the Eliminator.

Gujarat Giants skipper Gardner, who took over the captaincy from compatriot Beth Mooney this season, would know that beating the inaugural edition’s champions in their own den wouldn’t be easy. Her form has fluctuated, though she still continues to be among the top-five scorers with 235 runs. The Australian would bank on talented batter Harleen Deol to come good in the do-or-die contest and also hope that opener Mooney gives them a flying start.