In the thrilling WPL 2026 encounter at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, the Mumbai Indians (MI) triumphed over the Gujarat Giants (GG) by seven wickets. The star of the match was Mumbai’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, whose stunning unbeaten innings of 71 runs off just 43 balls featured seven boundaries and two sixes.
Reflecting on her performance, Harmanpreet emphasized the importance of aiming for a score of 200 runs in tournaments like the WPL. She noted that her team’s batters were strategically assessing the required runs and adjusting their batting accordingly. “It was a solid game. We might have conceded too many runs while bowling, but our batting was well-calibrated. Amanjot played exceptionally well. In a competition like this, you need to aim for 200 runs, whether you’re batting first or chasing. Clarity in our approach is vital for execution,” she remarked during the post-match presentation.
This remarkable innings also marked a milestone for Harmanpreet, as she became the second woman in WPL history to surpass 1000 runs, joining Nat Sciver-Brunt in this achievement. Following this victory, the Mumbai Indians have maintained an unblemished record against the Gujarat Giants, winning all eight encounters in WPL history—an unparalleled achievement.
The seasoned cricketer, now 36, views every match as a critical opportunity and praised her teammates for stepping up. “Every game is crucial for me. I wasn’t aware of this statistic. It’s essential for me to show up and bat for my team. It’s encouraging to see young players like Aman taking on responsibilities whenever needed,” she expressed.
Harmanpreet also recorded her 10th fifty-plus score in WPL history, surpassing both Nat Sciver-Brunt and UP Warriorz’s Meg Lanning, who each have nine. Currently, MI holds the second position on the points table, boasting four points and a net run rate (NRR) of +0.901.
(With ANI Inputs)