Women's Premier League 2024
‘Koi toh rok lo inko’- Fans react as Mumbai become the first team to qualify for the playoffs after beating Gujarat by 55 runs
In yet another dominant performance, Mumbai women’s team beat Gujarat by 55 runs at the Brabourne Stadium. Mumbai’s victory was led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s amazing half-century along with a team performance from bowlers. All-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews took three wickets each while Spinners Amila Kerr clinched two wickets. With this victory, Mumbai become the first team to qualify for the playoffs this season.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Gujarat opted to bowl first and the decision did go well with the team. Mumbai did not run wild as Gujarat skipper Sneh Rana, along with Ashley Gardner, kept the run flow under control. Although they did finish with a mighty challenging total on the board. In starting, Hayley Matthews was dismissed for a duck, but Yastika Bhatiya and Nat Sciver-Brunt put up 74 run stand for the second wicket.
Yastika missed a well-deserved half-century as she scored 44 runs off 37 balls while Sciver-Brunt scored 36 runs off 31 balls. After their partnership was broken by Kim Grath, captain Harmanpreet Kaur came to bat. She has been provided with a solid platform to bat on, and she delivered a steady half-century. Kaur scored 50 runs off 29 balls before getting dismissed by Gardner in the last over.
Meanwhile, Gardner claimed three wickets for Gujarat and captain Rana led from the front with the ball as she bowled well. Rana, Grath, and Tanuja Kanwar clinched one wicket each while two Mumbai batters got out while stealing quick runs.
Gujarat succumbed to Mumbai’s spinners
While cashing 160+ total, Gujarat didn’t get a good start as opener Sophia Dunkley was dismissed for a duck by Nat Sciver-Brunt. She was trapped in front of the wickets on the very first ball of the second innings. Gujarat’s nightmare didn’t end here as they lost two crucial wickets in the last over of the powerplay. They finished the powerplay by scoring 34 runs for three wickets.
Being in trouble, Gujarat looked for someone to rescue and they failed to find one. All-rounders Harleen Deol and Ashley Gardner failed to show any nerves as they were dismissed in the span of just 3 balls. Harleen, in her rusty innings, scored 22 runs off 23 balls while Gardner scored just 8 runs off 10 balls. Although, captain Rana tried some hands on the bat as she scored 20 runs off 19 balls.
Meanwhile, fans react to Mumbai’s glorious journey. A Twitter user said, “Koi to rok lo inko.”
Here are some Tweets:
First 5 tosses lost but won first 5
Is it first time ?— P U S H P A – The Rule 🦁 (@Allu_BhaiFan) March 14, 2023
Attacking mindset in batting is key of success for MI..
— Mohit kushwah (@Mohit0708199) March 14, 2023
Give them trophy, yes I'm MI hater but can't deny the fact😔
— AR (@31_FOREVER_) March 14, 2023
Raha hi nhi jata tadap hi aisi hai
— RKD Fanclub (@RkdFanclub) March 14, 2023
Likh ki they are playing the finals
— Dr.Nikhat (@Bad_Dr_) March 14, 2023
5 consecutive wins & 5 consecutive losses, The difference is clear 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QSG91n6o1s
— aadityaa (@Aditya_M9) March 14, 2023
Some fan base pic.twitter.com/GIu3JIA43p
— Nikhhiiil (@iamnr001) March 14, 2023
If thy top the grp directly to finals and looking more lik tht 🫡💙
— Juilius Sneezer (@itsmewhocares11) March 14, 2023
Yastika having far better tournament than India's no. 1 batter 😭
— 𝔖𝕴𝔎𝔄𝔑𝔇𝔄𝕽 ⚔️ (@SIK__AND__AR) March 14, 2023
kyu bakchodi kr rhe ho ab baki matches khel ke , mi ko trophy do aur wrap up kro , one sided matches koi nhi dekhna chahta , females ki free entry hone ke bavjood bhi stadium bhutiye bangle ki tarah khali pade hai
— 75……. (@VK_254) March 14, 2023
Best team in the land and all the world
— Akshat (@AkshatMCFC_47) March 14, 2023
Table Topper RCB already Qualified 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.
For what ???
:- flying to Home 😍 pic.twitter.com/dkXPMs3B7y— Johnny Wins 🔥🎯👑 (@Dick108inch) March 14, 2023
Johns bhi tweet kr diya
Who is best at 4th Position
If our Indian team is mix with boys and girl . pic.twitter.com/gKWb39eF8j— Navneet Kumar (@im_navneet5) March 14, 2023
You forgot to add fixer here bro 😭😭🤣🤣🤣….
Mumbai Indians without fixing is another Pune warriors— Haider Khan 🇮🇳💚 (@ind_iw0) March 14, 2023