Harmanpreet 82* in vain as GG break MI hoodoo and seal Eliminator spot
Wareham and Gardner starred with bat and ball as GG wrapped up their first victory over MI in nine attempts
Wareham and Gardner starred with bat and ball as GG wrapped up their first victory over MI in nine attempts
Scorer: Ranjith P | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
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.
Firdous to face the last ball
PN Khemnar c & b Gardner 2 (11m 3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66
20 off 4. A conference between Mooney and Gardner. Harmanpreet batting without a helmet
26 needed off the 20th. Surely this is GG's game now? Gardner to bowl
There were some other changes at the top of the leaderboards after the WPL 2026 game between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians on Friday night
"I was nervous right until the end," Gujarat Giants head coach Michael Klinger says after his team beat Mumbai Indians for the first time in nine attempts
Injuries have disrupted Mumbai Indians' plans and performances, and left them uncertain of progressing to the knockouts after being the winningest WPL team in the first two seasons
The winner of the game between GG and MI will seal their place in the Eliminator
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are through to the final, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals are well placed on the table, and UP Warriorz have a lot to do