MI vs GG, WPL Highlights: Gujarat Giants edge past Mumbai Indians in nail-biting clash
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Jan 30, 2026, 23:37:51 IST
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MI vs GG, WPL Highlights: Gujarat Giants edge past Mumbai Indians in nail-biting clash

MI vs GG, WPL Live Score: Gujarat Giants’ long wait for a win over Mumbai Indians finally ended on Friday in a high-stakes WPL clash. Batting first, the Giants appeared in trouble after losing Anushka Sharma (33) and Sophie Devine (25) in quick succession, adding just two runs. The middle overs looked grim as disciplined bowling from Amelia Kerr (2/26) and Shabnim Ismail (1/29) kept the run rate in check.

Skipper Ashleigh Gardner, however, turned the momentum dramatically in the 16th over. She attacked Hayley Matthews for 19 runs, beginning with a huge hit over deep midwicket, followed by three boundaries. Gardner then targeted Shabnim Ismail, smashing four more boundaries in a 17-run over, before Kerr deceived her in flight to end the innings. Gardner’s 46 off 28 balls and Wareham’s 44 from 26, including a crucial 71-run partnership, propelled Gujarat to 167 for 4.

Chasing on a tricky wicket, Mumbai Indians started well but were pegged back by Wareham and Gardner. Despite Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 82 off 48 balls, Mumbai fell short at 156/7. Needing 37 runs from the final two overs, the defending champions could not close the gap.

This win ended Gujarat’s eight-match losing streak against Mumbai and secured their Eliminator berth. Mumbai must wait for the Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz result on Sunday to know if they join the playoffs. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already confirmed their place in the final, topping the table with six wins from eight matches. Gujarat’s all-round brilliance came at the perfect time ahead of the knockout stage.
18:40 (IST) Jan 30
MI vs GG Live Score: Pitch, pressure and playoff permutations in Vadodara
Vadodara has offered slower surfaces this season, but recent matches suggest scores above 170 are no longer safe. Two of the last three games have seen that mark breached batting first.

Since the start of the 2025 season, no team has chosen to bat first after winning the toss in the WPL. That trend is expected to continue, with chasing once again the preferred option.

For Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants, the surface adds another layer of strategy. Gujarat’s negative net run rate means they cannot afford a heavy defeat. Mumbai, meanwhile, know a solid win puts them through.

Beyond the pitch, the mental battle will be decisive. One team qualifies on Friday night. The other waits nervously for Sunday. In the tightest WPL yet, there is no room for hesitation.
18:39 (IST) Jan 30
MI vs GG Live Score: Numbers that could decide a playoff spot
Friday’s clash may be settled by fine margins and key statistical battles. Gujarat Giants have been the fastest scoring team in the powerplay this season, going at 8.73 an over. That aggression sets the tone early.

Mumbai, however, have a strong counter in Shabnim Ismail. She boasts the second-best economy rate in the powerplay and is among the leading wicket-takers in that phase. If she strikes early, Gujarat’s momentum could stall.

At the death, Gujarat have struggled. Kashvee Gautam and Ashleigh Gardner have the highest economy rates in the final overs this season. Sophie Devine may need to bowl more at the back end to manage that weakness.

Mumbai could also lean more on Amelia Kerr late in the innings. Her economy rate at the death is significantly better than her teammates. These small tactical calls could swing the match.
18:39 (IST) Jan 30
MI vs GG Live Score: Have Mumbai Indians finally solved their overseas puzzle?
Mumbai Indians’ season has been marked by experimentation, particularly with their overseas combination. Injuries and availability issues forced changes early on, and the balance often felt unsettled.

Hayley Matthews’ absence hurt Mumbai in the powerplay, where their scoring rate dipped. Nicola Carey, however, made herself undroppable with consistent all-round performances. The dilemma deepened when Matthews returned, leading to difficult selection calls.

Dropping Amelia Kerr against Delhi proved costly, removing one of the league’s best spinners. Carey’s injury before the RCB game, though, pushed Mumbai back to their preferred combination. The result was emphatic.

With Nat Sciver-Brunt, Matthews and Kerr all contributing, Mumbai finally looked complete. Whether they stick with this combination against Gujarat could decide their playoff fate.
18:38 (IST) Jan 30
MI W vs GG W, WPL Live Score: Sophie Devine carries Gujarat Giants’ playoff hopes
If Gujarat Giants are to reach the WPL 2026 playoffs, Sophie Devine is likely to be at the heart of it. The all-rounder has been the standout performer of the season, leading the tournament in wickets while also topping Gujarat’s run charts.

Devine has 212 runs at a strike rate above 158 and has already delivered decisive moments with both bat and ball. From smashing 32 runs in an over to defending tight totals at the death, she has shaped Gujarat’s campaign repeatedly.

Against Mumbai Indians, her role becomes even more critical. Gujarat’s net run rate leaves little margin for error, and Devine’s ability to influence all phases of the game could be the difference.

Mumbai have depth and balance, but Devine has shown she thrives under pressure. Friday’s match could define not just Gujarat’s season, but Devine’s status as the player of the tournament.
18:37 (IST) Jan 30
MI vs GG Live Score: Sudden death as MI and GG face playoff-defining clash
The most competitive Women’s Premier League season yet has reached sudden death. Friday’s match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants will decide at least one playoff spot in WPL 2026. The winner will qualify immediately. The loser will be forced to wait for Sunday’s result between Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz.

Mumbai Indians arrive with confidence after a commanding win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, driven by Nat Sciver-Brunt’s superb century. Gujarat Giants, meanwhile, scraped through a tense finish against Delhi Capitals, surviving a late assault to stay second on the table.

Despite their position, Gujarat remain vulnerable due to a negative net run rate. A defeat on Friday could push their playoff fate out of their hands. Mumbai are better placed on net run rate and know that a win will remove all doubt.

The pressure is clear. One strong performance could seal qualification. One slip could send a team into anxious waiting mode. With everything on the line, this clash feels less like a league game and more like a knockout.
MI vs GG, WPL Highlights: Gujarat Giants finally overcame their long-standing hoodoo against defending champions Mumbai Indians with an 11-run victory in a thrilling Women’s Premier League encounter on Friday. Batting first, skipper Ashleigh Gardner counter-punched with 46 off 28 balls, while Georgia Wareham struck a brisk 44 from 26 deliveries, combining for a crucial 71-run partnership that rescued the Giants from a mid-innings slump. Their efforts lifted Gujarat to a competitive 167 for 4.

Mumbai Indians’ chase proved tricky on a challenging surface. Despite skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s valiant 82 not out off 48 balls, the defending champions could only manage 156/7, falling short by 11 runs. Gujarat’s disciplined bowling, led by Wareham (2/26) and Gardner (1/26), ensured Mumbai never got close to the target, even with a late onslaught from Harmanpreet.

This victory was Gujarat’s first over Mumbai in eight attempts and secured their place in Tuesday’s Eliminator. Mumbai will have to wait for the outcome of Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz on Sunday to know their fate. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already sealed a direct place in the final, topping the league table with six wins from eight matches.