The TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 continued its high-octane momentum in Match 6 as defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) faced off against Gujarat Giants (GG) at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. In a contest that rewrote the history books, Mumbai Indians extended their flawless record against the Giants to 8–0, successfully hunting down a target of 193. The victory was anchored by another captain’s knock from Harmanpreet Kaur, who secured her second consecutive Player of the Match award in as many games.
Gujarat Giants’ Resilient Batting Display
After being asked to bat first, the Gujarat Giants overcame an early setback when Sophie Devine was dismissed for 8 in the third over. However, captain Beth Mooney capitalised on an early reprieve, striking a brisk 33 off 26 balls. The middle order then took charge, with Kanika Ahuja and Ashleigh Gardner injecting significant pace into the innings. Ahuja’s explosive 35 off 18 deliveries and Gardner’s quickfire 20 off 11 kept the scoreboard ticking at over nine runs per over.
A slight mid-innings stutter saw the Giants fall to 101/4, but a tactical masterstroke changed the complexion of the game. Gujarat opted to “retire out” Ayushi Soni—the first such instance in WPL history—to bring in the big-hitting Bharti Fulmali. The move paid immediate dividends. Fulmali smashed an unbeaten 36 off just 15 balls, including three sixes, while Georgia Wareham played a vital anchoring role with a crafty 43* off 33. Their unbeaten 56-run partnership powered Gujarat to a formidable 192/5, setting the stage for the highest chase of the season.
Mumbai Indians’ Measured Start and Mid-Innings Surge
Mumbai Indians’ pursuit of 193 began with a fresh opening pair of Gunalan Kamalini and Hayley Matthews. While the duo provided a positive start, they were dismissed within the powerplay, leaving MI at 48/2. The responsibility then fell on Amanjot Kaur and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Amanjot played one of her most authoritative innings yet, striking seven boundaries in a well-compiled 40 off 26 balls. Her ability to keep the required run rate within reach allowed Harmanpreet to settle in.
Despite Amanjot’s dismissal in the 13th over, the momentum did not shift. Harmanpreet began to accelerate, launching two massive sixes down the ground that shifted the pressure back onto the Gujarat bowlers. She found an able partner in Nicola Carey, who has emerged as one of the finds of the season. Carey’s finishing prowess was on full display as she struck 38* off 23 balls, effectively neutralizing the threat of the Giants’ spin attack.
Harmanpreet’s Milestone and the Final Flourish
As the match entered its final phase, Harmanpreet Kaur reached a significant personal milestone. During her unbeaten 71 off 43 balls, she became only the second player in WPL history to surpass 1,000 career runs, trailing only Nat Sciver-Brunt. Her innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, featuring seven fours and two sixes.
The turning point of the chase came in the 18th over, bowled by Rajeshwari Gayakwad. Harmanpreet and Carey plundered 16 runs from the over, reducing the equation to a comfortable 14 runs required off the final 12 balls. Despite a few nervous moments in the penultimate over, the captain remained ice-cold, sealing the victory with four balls to spare.
A New Benchmark for Mumbai Indians
This seven-wicket win marked Mumbai Indians’ highest successful run chase in the history of the TATA WPL. The result also underlined the depth of the MI squad, as they managed the chase even with key players like Nat Sciver-Brunt being rested. For the Gujarat Giants, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow after a strong batting performance, as their winless streak against the Mumbai franchise continued.
With two wins from two games, Mumbai Indians have firmly established themselves as the team to beat in 2026. Meanwhile, the Giants will look to address their bowling execution in the death overs as the tournament moves toward its mid-season peak.
Brief Scores:
- Gujarat Giants: 192/5 in 20 overs (Georgia Wareham 43*, Bharti Fulmali 36*; Nicola Carey 1/27)
- Mumbai Indians: 193/3 in 19.2 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 71*, Amanjot Kaur 40; Kashvee Gautam 1/33)
- Result: Mumbai Indians won by 7 wickets.