Middle-overs masterclass seals the deal for MI

Mumbai Indians posted a massive 213 against Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator of the WPL 2025.

The pitch at the Brabourne Stadium was initially slow and sluggish, making it difficult for the MI openers to get going. Giants deployed two spinners in the PowerPlay, successfully containing the dangerous Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia.

Nat Sciver-Brunt, however, took full toll of the short balls bowled by Danielle Gibson in the seventh over, accelerating MI's innings. A strategic timeout proved crucial, allowing Sciver-Brunt and Matthews to strategize and unlock a game-changing partnership.

Matthews, after a slow start, came alive after the timeout, smashing boundaries and reaching her 36-ball fifty. Sciver-Brunt, meanwhile, continued her aggressive approach, bringing up her fifth half-century of the season.

Giants' fielding errors compounded their woes, allowing MI to accumulate runs freely. Gibson's return in the 15th over yielded a couple of boundaries for Sciver-Brunt, further solidifying MI's dominance.

Harmanpreet Kaur then unleashed a blistering 12-ball cameo of 36 runs, propelling MI to a formidable total.

Giants' attack, depleted by Deandra Dottin's pre-toss injury, struggled to contain the MI onslaught. Their middle-overs strategy, which had been their strength throughout the tournament, backfired as MI exploited their weaknesses.

Klinger acknowledged the impact of MI's power-hitting and fielding errors, conceding that the opposition played exceptionally well.