END OF OVER:
20 | 14 Runs 1 Wkt | MI-W: 156/7 (12 runs required, RR: 7.80)

  • Rahila Firdous1 (1b)
  • Harmanpreet Kaur82 (48b)
  • Ashleigh Gardner3-0-26-1
  • Sophie Devine4-1-23-2

11:21pm And, that will be a wrap from us for tonight. We hope you enjoyed our coverage and we will be back with more WPL action on Sunday, when the identity of the third qualifier will become clear. Until then, from Ranjith and myself (Shashwat), on behalf of everyone here at ESPNcricinfo, it is goodbye!

Georgia Wareham, Player of the Match: Nice to actually have an impact today, with bat and ball. The batters who give themselves a few balls, that has been the best way to go about it. Just giving myself a few extra balls (and that seems to work in Vadodara). (On her bowling plans) Having a good idea of the conditions, batting first, helps. After the powerplay, certainly helps. Tried to hit the stumps as much as we could.

Ashleigh Gardner, Gujarat Giants captain: Really happy with that performance. This was like a quarter final. So many positives to take into the game. Stats told a different story. We knew what we were doing would work, just needed to do it for a longer time. We have won all our games batting first, so there is an element of that. We want to take on the powerplay and set up the game. If we can try and utilise those players as best...we did that really well today. Could have pushed that total more. We knew having Kaur out there, know how damaging she can be and pleased to get the win. Three was a bit of variation with the ball. Saw the spinners play a big role (when we were batting). Once the dew sets in, the ball slides on, so we talked about keeping the stumps in play. Sometimes on a black soil pitch, it does shoot through and keep low. (On Wareham) We know the world-class player she is. We have seen that in the WBBL. She led from the front for the Renegades. Have played a lot of cricket with her and it is about giving her the best opportunity to play the role we wanted her to play. One of the best leg spinners in the world, and she did that (picking up wickets) today.

Harmanpreet Kaur, Mumbai Indians captain: (What went wrong in the chase) First six overs, we were not able to execute our plans. We lost wickets and could not score runs. In between, we wanted to have partnerships but could not have any impactful partnerships. Just told myself that I have to keep batting. Was looking for support but unfortunately, could not get support. Sometimes, your team is not able to execute the plan but it was an overall good game. While fielding, we did misfield and gave 16-17 runs away and that cost us. We have a good batting side and had there been one partnership (with me) that would have changed (things). I was calculating how many sixes we needed (towards the end). We needed 7-8 sixes, so was thinking if I could hit those, it could change the game. We have seen how they have been bowling. Knew their plan but have to give credit to their bowlers. (On now watching the DC-UPW game) I am someone who likes to focus on things in my hand. If we are there (in the playoffs), we will be happy. Tournament is still on, let's see what happens. Today, we were not able to do what we wanted to do.

Sophie Devine: We probably just had enough runs on the board. The way they (Gardner and Wareham) batted, was fantastic. The way we fielded tonight, we demanded a lot from the fielders and knew it could be vital. When Harman is hitting the ball like that...full credit to the team (for defending this score). We know, on this wicket, which is tougher, taking early wickets, wherever you are playing, it sets things up. When Harman gets on a roll like that, no total feels safe enough. To squeak home, feels nice. (Decision to bat first) Not too sure what the difference is, but (we) have been successful batting first. On a wicket that was tiring, having a first crack on it, we backed ourself. Ash (Gardner) is a hopeless tosser, so does not matter what we want to do, we will get told anyway (smiles). (On her plans until the Eliminator) I will probably see you at the golf course (laughs). Nice to know we don't play until Tuesday. Rest and recovery is important. Business end and you try to have everyone fit and fresh. Important we keep doing what we are doing. Certainly will enjoy tonight but then, over the next few days, we will start (building to) the Eliminator.

10:52pm A tense game of cricket. And you could feel it, with the sort of errors both sides made. Gardner, for what it is worth, did not bowl the best 20th over ever seen in the WPL, but the rest of the bowling attack, with Devine playing a huge part yet again, provided their skipper with enough of a cushion. Kudos to Gardner, though, for showing the conviction to put runs on the board and then marshaling her troops to ensure their campaign is far from done.

A bit of a dampener for MI. They would have fancied their chances at the break and might have even gotten a job done had someone else stood up alongside Harmanpreet, who waged a lone battle all night. She notched up her sixth fifty against GG but on this occasion, she did not have the support of her batting unit to ensure that it ended up on the winning side.

19.6
1
Gardner to Rahila Firdous, 1 run, Four years of hurt against the Mumbai Indians but now, ninth time lucky for the Giants! A place in the Eliminator Is theirs, and they have finally outdone their kryptonite to get there! Shortish on off. Firdous advances and hoicks it towards deep square leg. The celebrations start in the GG camp. This is what they would have classified as the bare minimum before a ball had been bowled this season and when up against one of their strongest rivals, they have come up trump to seal their passage to the next stage!

Firdous to face the last ball

19.5
W
Gardner to Khemnar, OUT, plonked up into the air, and Gardner takes a return catch! Flighted up on a length outside off. Khemnar tries to smash this into the sea but gets it all wrong. Off the toe-end and the ball swirls into the short mid on region, where Gardner does the rest. GG almost there!

PN Khemnar c & b Gardner 2 (11m 3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66

19.4
1
Gardner to H Kaur, 1 run, straight to the fielder, and that is just a single! Half-tracker on the stumps and Gardner gets away with this. Smeared to deep square and the MI skipper cannot get back for two
19.3
6
Gardner to H Kaur, SIX, oh dear - another full toss, and the MI skipper keeps her side afloat! This is a belated new year's gift from Gardner. Harmanpreet steps down and creams it over cover!

20 off 4. A conference between Mooney and Gardner. Harmanpreet batting without a helmet

19.2
0
Gardner to H Kaur, no run, dragged down on off stump. Harmanpreet swings it away towards deep mid wicket and opts against running. Brace was not on there
19.1
6
Gardner to H Kaur, SIX, the game ain't over until I say so, says Harmanpreet! Full toss just outside off. Harmanpreet cannot believe her luck and she whacks it over wide long on!

26 needed off the 20th. Surely this is GG's game now? Gardner to bowl

END OF OVER:
19 | 11 Runs | MI-W: 142/6 (26 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 7.47, RRR: 26.00)

  • Harmanpreet Kaur69 (44b)
  • Poonam Khemnar2 (2b)
  • Sophie Devine4-1-23-2
  • Georgia Wareham4-0-26-2
18.6
1
Devine to H Kaur, 1 run, shortish outside off. Harmanpreet hangs deep in her crease outside off and heaves it towards deep mid wicket
18.5
4
Devine to H Kaur, FOUR, pierces the off side ring with surgical precision! Juicy full toss outside off. Harmanpreet goes deep into her crease and scythes it through point!

Keeper back now

18.4
2
Devine to H Kaur, 2 runs, another skier, and safe again! Back of a length outside off. Harmanpreet winds up and slices this high into the air. Just over cover and she gets two for her troubles
18.3
4
Devine to H Kaur, FOUR, goes a mile up, and into the fence! In the slot on middle and off, and this is not a clean strike by any means. Harmanpreet gives it all she has and muscles it over mid off. Lands just inside the fence!
18.2
0
Devine to H Kaur, no run, length ball hung up a mile outside off. Harmanpreet moves across and then swings like a rusty gate. Bat and ball end up in different postcodes
18.1
0
Devine to H Kaur, no run, full and wide outside off. Harmanpreet goes back and across before running it down to short third. Single denied too, which is probably the right call here

37 off 12. Devine to bowl the 19th this time. Harmanpreet has to go for it now. No other option

END OF OVER:
18 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | MI-W: 131/6 (37 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 7.27, RRR: 18.50)

  • Harmanpreet Kaur58 (38b)
  • Poonam Khemnar2 (2b)
  • Georgia Wareham4-0-26-2
  • Rajeshwari Gayakwad4-0-46-1
17.6
1
Wareham to H Kaur, 1 run, looped up very full. Harmanpreet hares down and then digs out the yorker behind point. Calls her partner through and Khemnar has to stretch every sinew to get there
17.5
1
Wareham to Khemnar, 1 run, very full on middle and leg. Khemnar nearly yorks herself by charging and just manages to squeeze it past the bowler
17.4
1
Wareham to H Kaur, 1 run, fullish on middle and leg. Harmanpreet advances this time but drills it straight to long off
17.3
1
Wareham to Khemnar, 1 run, full on middle and leg. Khemnar steps down the track and knocks it to long on

Prakash: "11th fifty in the WPL for Harmanpreet Kaur, 6 of them against the Giants." -- This has a chance of being in a losing cause, though, unless Khemnar can come up with something alongside her skipper

17.2
W
Wareham to Gupta, OUT, was that a caught-behind chance?! Looks like it was based on Mooney's reaction! But hang on, the umpire has given it out lbw! Scenes in Vadodara! Fizzed through on a length on off. Sharp turn off the surface and Gupta seems to be cut in half. There is a deflection off the back leg, and there may have been bat involved too, which could yet come into the equation. We go upstairs to see what the deal is. Oh well. Looks like the ball has missed the bat before kissing the back leg. Three reds on Ball Tracking too, and Wareham has another!

S Gupta lbw b Wareham 0 (2m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

Over the wicket to Gupta

Tautoru: "Finally a stumping! But Harmanpreet is still in! MI must believe! "

17.1
1
Wareham to H Kaur, 1 run, zinged in full on leg stump. Harmanpreet clears her front leg and hoicks it towards deep mid wicket

42 off 18. Feels like Harmanpreet or bust now. Wareham to bowl out

END OF OVER:
17 | 16 Runs 1 Wkt | MI-W: 126/5 (42 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 7.41, RRR: 14.00)

  • Harmanpreet Kaur55 (35b)
  • Rajeshwari Gayakwad4-0-46-1
  • Georgia Wareham3-0-21-1
16.6
W
Gayakwad to AB Kaur, OUT, deceived in the air, and Amanjot is outta here! Courageous bowling this. Tossed up on a length outside off. Amanjot charges but soon realizes she is nowhere to the pitch of the ball. Has a waft at it anyway and misses, with Mooney whipping off the bails in a jiffy. Big wicket, considering the batting MI have left!

AB Kaur st †Mooney b Gayakwad 13 (20m 12b 2x4 0x6) SR: 108.33

16.5
4
Gayakwad to AB Kaur, FOUR, Amanjot wants a piece of the fun too! Fullish on middle and off. Amanjot shimmies down the track and bangs it over mid off!
16.4
1
Gayakwad to H Kaur, 1 run, flighted up full outside off. Harmanpreet gets forward and drives it towards deep extra cover
16.3
6
Gayakwad to H Kaur, SIX, in the air, and beyond the fence! Fifty number six for Harmanpreet against the Giants. Length ball outside off. Harmanpreet fetches it and dumps it over the deep square leg fence!
16.3
1w
Gayakwad to H Kaur, 1 wide, oh dear - that is a wretched delivery. Almost on the adjacent strip on a back of a length. Left alone and called a wide. A check to see if it indeed landed on the cut strip, and the wide call stays

MI Women 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st23HK MatthewsS Sajana
2nd10Nat Sciver-BruntS Sajana
3rd4H KaurNat Sciver-Brunt
4th45H KaurAC Kerr
5th44H KaurAB Kaur
6th1H KaurS Gupta
7th28H KaurPN Khemnar
8th1H KaurRahila Firdous