Gujarat Giants Set Challenging Target Against Mumbai Indians in WPL 2026
Gujarat Giants Shine in WPL 2026 Match
Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 13: In a thrilling encounter of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, Gujarat Giants secured a formidable target of 193 runs against Mumbai Indians, thanks to an unbroken partnership of 52 runs between Georgia Wareham and Bharti Fulmali.
Opting to bat first, the Giants made a strong start with openers Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney striking four boundaries in the second over bowled by Hayley Matthews.
However, the momentum shifted when speedster Shabnim Ismail took out Devine for just eight runs off four balls, leaving Gujarat at 26/1 after three overs. Kanika Ahuja then hit a six and a four in the next over, pushing the score to 40/1.
By the end of the first power play, Gujarat had amassed 62 runs for the loss of one wicket, marking their third-highest powerplay score in WPL history, following 80/0 against Delhi Capitals this season and 64/1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2023.
In the seventh over, spinner Amelia Kerr dismissed Beth Mooney, who scored 33 runs off 26 balls, including three fours and a six.
Nicola Carey then struck again in the 10th over, taking out the dangerous Ashleigh Gardner, who contributed 20 runs off 11 balls with four boundaries. At this point, Gujarat stood at 99/3 after 10 overs.
Despite a costly start, Hayley Matthews managed to dismiss Kanika Ahuja for 35 runs off 18 balls, which brought Gujarat to 101/4 in the 11th over.
Georgia Wareham and Ayushi Soni then steadied the innings, with Gujarat reaching 130/4 in 15 overs. However, Soni, who struggled to find her rhythm, was retired out after scoring 11 runs off 14 balls.
In a powerful finish, Bharti Fulmali (36* off 15 balls, including three fours and three sixes) and Wareham (43* off 33 balls, with five boundaries) formed an unbeaten partnership of 56 runs, leading Gujarat to a total of 192/5 in their 20 overs.
For Mumbai Indians, Ismail (1/25), Matthews (1/34), Nicola Carey (1/36), and Kerr (1/40) were the wicket-takers.
Brief scores: Gujarat Giants 192/5 in 20 overs (Georgia Wareham 43*, Bharti Fulmali 36*; Shabnim Ismail 1/25) vs Mumbai Indians.