Gujarat Giants vs Colossal Challenge Cutting Down Mumbai Indians in WPL 2025 Eliminator

Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 has now hit its knockout stage deciding phase and an exciting battle is on the horizon as Gujarat Giants (GG) are hosting Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Eliminator at Brabourne Stadium on Thursday. While MI has a flawless record and a knockout history across all three seasons, GG is coming into this phase for the very first time and will test the supremacy of one of the strongest groups of the league. 

Mumbai Indians-A Success Legacy

Mumbai Indians have been a runaway success right from the inception of the WPL, year after year topping the points table only below Delhi Capitals and making it to the knockouts. They had won the title in the first season under the experienced Harmanpreet Kaur and have been a force to be dealt with ever since. But their last season's campaign was truncated by a revivalist Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and they are now hungrier than ever to rediscover their magic this year.

One of the strongest positives of MI is their consistency and experience. With players like Nat Sciver-Brunt, who is currently leading the Orange Cap with 416 runs, and their consistent captain Harmanpreet Kaur, they are still a team which can perform under pressure. Their spin bowling, which is headed by Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr, has been extremely good, particularly at Brabourne, where the spinners have taken center stage, taking 17 wickets in two matches.

Gujarat Giants-A Relentless Underdog

For Gujarat Giants, this Eliminator is a chance to put the page of history behind them. Having tasted defeats earlier, the team has taken their momentum at the perfect moment, winning clinching games to make it to the knockouts. Their recent league-stage victory against Delhi Capitals was their display of strength, but they will have to give their best to go up against MI, who have beaten them in all six of their matches until now.

One of the largest issues for GG has been their untested opening partnership. Beth Mooney has had four varying partners in eight matches, with the side still to find a sound foundation at the top. Their stability in the middle order, comprised of Mooney (231 runs), Ashleigh Gardner (235 runs), and Harleen Deol (224 runs), has saved them from losing the game. Deol’s unbeaten 70 against DC was a match-winning performance, and GG might consider promoting her up the order for this high-stakes game.

Bowling Battles-MI’s Spin Dominance vs. GG’s Versatility

When it comes to bowling, MI holds a slight edge, particularly with their spin attack. Kerr and Matthews, with 14 wickets each, have played crucial roles in the team’s success. The absence of Pooja Vastrakar this season is a setback, but MI’s disciplined bowling unit remains a force to be reckoned with.

For GG, their bowling line-up is spearheaded by Kashvee Gautam with 10 wickets, aided by the experience of Deandra Dottin (9 wickets) and skipper Gardner (8 wickets). How they manage to swing the ball and attack the middle order of MI can be a game-saver for this match.

Clash of Captains-Harmanpreet vs. Gardner

The biggest duel in this Eliminator will be between the two skippers, Harmanpreet Kaur and Ashleigh Gardner. Kaur has recently steamrolled GG in the recent past, plundering 315 runs in only six games at a staggering average of 78.75 with four half-centuries to her name. Pressure handling and navigating MI from troubled waters of her make her a skipper to be reckoned with.

On the other hand, Gardner, despite her solid performances, has yet to break the stronghold MI has had over GG. However, she remains a crucial all-rounder and could turn the game around with both bat and ball.

Head-to-Head-MI’s Unbeaten Record Against GG

Head-to-head between the two sides has been one-sided with MI having dominated all six of their past encounters. Right from the first WPL win at DY Patil Stadium to last season's exciting run chase in Delhi, MI never once fell short in overpowering GG. But GG has been displaying some mettle this season and will be eager to end this string of defeats when most needed.

Match Conditions and Strategy

The Brabourne Stadium has been a high-scoring ground, and captains have generally preferred chasing. But in the previous two matches at this ground, the chasing sides lost, so the toss would be a fascinating part of this game.

For MI, after their strengths—depending on their star batsmen and spinners—might be the winning combination. They would not make any change in their lineup even after their recent defeat against RCB.

Mumbai Indians' likely XI:

Hayley Matthew

Amelia Kerr

Nat Sciver-Brunt

Harmanpreet Kaur (C)

Amanjot Kaur

Yastika Bhatia (WK)

Sajeevan Sajana

G Kamalini

Sanskriti Gupta

Shabnim Ismail

Parunika Sisodia

GG, however, has now completed their playing XI and will mostly remain with their winning combination unless an injury compels them to leave someone out.

Gujarat Giants' likely XI:

Beth Mooney (WK)

Kashvee Gautam

Harleen Deol

Ashleigh Gardner (C)

Phoebe Litchfield

Deandra Dottin

Bharti Fulmali

Simran Shaikh

Tanuja Kanwar

Meghna Singh

Priya Mishra

The Final Showdown

This Eliminator presents a classic David vs. Goliath battle, with Mumbai Indians entering as clear favorites based on their past performances. However, Gujarat Giants have nothing to lose and everything to prove. If GG can capitalize on MI’s occasional middle-order vulnerabilities and produce a strong all-round performance, they might just cause the biggest upset of WPL 2025.

Having their fate in the final hanging in the balance against Delhi Capitals, both teams will leave it all on the pitch in what can be an edge-of-the-seat and exciting encounter in the lights of Brabourne Stadium. Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to an evening of high drama, tactics, and game-winning showpieces as MI and GG battle for their championship aspirations.

Match Details:

Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025

Time: 7:30 PM IST

Location: Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai