Follow UsMumbai Indians (MI) absolutely dominated Gujarat Giants (GG) in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 Eliminator on March 13 (Thursday) to set up a final date with Delhi Capitals (DC). But they were in a tricky position at 26/1 when they needed the partnership between Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt, who combined to put on a 133-run stand.
While Sciver-Brunt (41-ball 77) put on a show, the West Indian all-rounder played a vital role, smashing a 50-ball 77 with ten fours and three sixes. Matthews didn’t stop there, with a crucial three-wicket haul in the second innings, with figures of 3/31.
“Think it was a really good game. You got a lot of value for your shots as a batter. We [Nat and me] worked hard to ease the pressure off of us. With the ball, I had my plans and tried to execute them as best as I could,” Hayley said in the post-match presentation.
“One of those wickets where you were going to be able to put the ball away was trying to choose my areas and manipulated the field really well, too,” she added.
The West Indian all-rounder continued her stellar WPL 2025 run, with her three-wicket haul taking her wickets tally to 17, the most in a single edition of the tournament.
“Tried to control just one side of the field, varied my pace - that is something we have been working on. We were in their step-hit zone quite a bit [the last time we played them], lots of learnings from that and glad I was able to execute,” she said.
MI will be playing familiar opponents in the form of DC, who they beat in the inaugural edition of the tournament, at the same venue. Matthews revealed that they will do their homework and come prepared for lifting their second WPL title on March 15 (Saturday)
“Come back, do our homework on DC - they are a good team and a team that has gotten the better of us in the last two games. Come back, do our homework and then execute on the field.”