.jpg)
The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 season has reached a fever pitch, and Match 6 between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Giants (GG) on January 13, 2026, will be remembered as a classic. In a high-octane encounter that swung like a pendulum, Mumbai Indians pulled off a breathtaking chase of 193 runs, winning by 7 wickets with just 4 balls to spare.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of every crucial moment, from Gujarat's batting masterclass to Harmanpreet Kaur’s legendary finishing act.
"What happened in yesterday's match? First read our Last Match Highlights article and then watch this preview: [Read Here]"
1. The Build-Up: A Clash of Titans
Entering the match, Mumbai Indians were looking to maintain their dominance as one of the league's most successful franchises. Under the leadership of India's veteran captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, MI boasted a lineup filled with international superstars. On the other side, the Gujarat Giants, led by the clinical Beth Mooney, were desperate to prove that they could stand toe-to-toe with the defending giants.
The pitch at the stadium was a "batter's paradise"—hard, flat, and offering very little movement for the seamers. Winning the toss was crucial, and Gujarat Giants took the bold step of batting first to put a massive total on the board.
2. Gujarat Giants’ Innings: A Clinical Display of Power Hitting
Gujarat Giants started their innings with a clear mission: attack from ball one. Their total of 192/5 was a testament to their aggressive intent and tactical execution.
The Opening Stand
Beth Mooney and Laura Wolvaardt gave the Giants a dream start. Mooney, ever-reliant, played the anchor role while occasionally finding the boundary with her trademark cover drives.
- Beth Mooney: 45 runs off 32 balls.
- Laura Wolvaardt: 38 runs off 28 balls.
The Mid-Innings Explosion
The real momentum shift occurred when Phoebe Litchfield walked to the crease. She played with a "nothing-to-lose" attitude, taking on the MI spinners with ease.
- Phoebe Litchfield: A blistering 52 off 35 balls.
- Sophie Devine: Provided the finishing touches with 28 runs off 18 deliveries.
Gujarat finished at 192/5 in 20 overs, a score that most experts believed was more than enough to secure a win.
3. Mumbai Indians’ Response: The Foundation
Chasing 193 requires more than just big hitting; it requires nerves of steel. MI’s openers, Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews, provided a brisk start, but it was the middle order that had to do the heavy lifting.
- Yastika Bhatia: 22 (15).
- Hayley Matthews: 18 (12).
When both openers departed, the score stood at a precarious position. However, Amanjot Kaur played a vital innings of 40 off 26 balls, keeping the required run rate within touching distance before being dismissed by Sophie Devine in the 13th over.
4. The Turning Point: Harmanpreet Kaur and Nicola Carey
At 109/3 in the 13th over, Mumbai Indians needed 84 runs from 47 balls. This is when the legendary Harmanpreet Kaur decided to take the game by the scruff of its neck.
The Partnership of the Season
Harmanpreet was joined by Nicola Carey, and together they systematically dismantled the Gujarat bowling attack.
- Harmanpreet Kaur: 71* off 43 balls (10th WPL Fifty).
- Nicola Carey: 38* off 23 balls.
Over 16: The Decisive Blow
The 16th over bowled by Renuka Singh Thakur was the nail in the coffin for Gujarat. Nicola Carey went on a rampage:
- 15.1: Four! Carey chips it over mid-off.
- 15.3: Four Leg Byes! The ball races away.
- 15.4: Four! A powerful shot over extra cover.
- 15.5: Four! Carey moves forward and chips it over covers.
- 15.6: Four! A pull through mid-wicket to end a 20-run over.
5. The Final Overs: Ice in Their Veins
Entering the final stretch, the equation became simpler but no less tense.
- Over 18: Rajeshwari Gayakwad conceded 16 runs as Harmanpreet hit back-to-back boundaries.
- Over 19: Kashvee Gautam conceded 9 runs. Harmanpreet was dropped on 18.6, which allowed them to collect two vital runs.
- Over 20: With only a handful of runs needed, Harmanpreet Kaur smashed a four off Sophie Devine’s second delivery to end the match in style.
6. Strategic Analysis: Why MI Won and GG Lost
Mumbai’s Strengths:
- Leadership: Harmanpreet’s ability to remain calm under a required rate of 11+ was the difference.
- Depth: Nicola Carey’s contribution at No. 5 showed that MI doesn't rely on just their top order.
- Fitness: The running between the wickets in the 18th and 19th overs was world-class.
Gujarat’s Failures:
- Death Bowling: Conceding 20 runs in the 16th over shifted the momentum entirely.
- Fielding: Dropped catches in the final three overs proved fatal.
- Bowling Rotations: Keeping Gardner’s overs for too late allowed MI batters to settle.
7. Match Summary Table
| Team | Score | Top Performer |
| Gujarat Giants | 192/5 (20 Ov) | Phoebe Litchfield (52 off 35) |
| Mumbai Indians | 193/3 (19.2 Ov) | *Harmanpreet Kaur (71 off 43)** |
Result: Mumbai Indians won by 7 wickets with 4 balls left.
8. Post-Match Reactions
Harmanpreet Kaur: "I knew if we took it deep, we had a chance. Nicola played a fantastic knock which took the pressure off me."
Beth Mooney: "It’s a tough pill to swallow. We had the runs on the board, but we didn't execute our plans in the last five overs."
9. Conclusion
The MI vs GG match was a celebration of women's cricket. It showcased that no target is safe when elite athletes like Harmanpreet Kaur are at the crease. For Mumbai Indians, this win solidifies their position as the team to beat in WPL 2026. For Gujarat Giants, it's a lesson in death-over management.
Fans can look forward to more such high-scoring thrillers as the tournament progresses.
Next Step: Would you like a detailed Player-by-Player Rating for the Mumbai Indians team based on this performance?
"For more news and updates related to this match:
Mumbai Indians Player Ratings: WPL 2026 Match 6
The Batting Stars
-
Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain): 10/10
- The undisputed "Player of the Match" for her unbeaten 71 off 43 balls.
- She held her nerve during a tense finish, hitting the winning boundary in the final over.
- Maintained a strike rate of 165+, proving her status as a world-class finisher.
-
Nicola Carey: 9.5/10
- Played a crucial supporting role with a fiery 38* off 23 balls.
- Her aggression in the 16th over, where she hit three boundaries off Renuka Singh, shifted the momentum entirely.
- Finished with an impressive strike rate of 165.22, ensuring the required rate didn't climb too high.
-
Amanjot Kaur: 8/10
- Stabilized the innings in the middle overs with a valuable 40 runs off 26 deliveries.
- Her partnership with Harmanpreet laid the foundation for the final assault before she was dismissed in the 13th over.
-
Yastika Bhatia: 6/10
- Gave the team a brisk start with 22 runs off 15 balls.
- While she couldn't convert it into a big score, her early boundaries helped set the pace for the chase.
-
Hayley Matthews: 5/10
- Scored 18 runs off 12 balls.
- Provided some early momentum but fell early in the Powerplay.
The Bowling Unit
-
Amelia Kerr: 7.5/10
- Was the most effective bowler for MI, finishing with figures of 2/28 in her 4 overs.
- Her dismissals of set batters like Litchfield and Devine were critical in preventing GG from crossing the 200-mark.
-
Shabnim Ismail: 6.5/10
- Showed great control with figures of 1/32.
- Used her pace effectively to restrict scoring during the Powerplay.
-
Pooja Vastrakar: 6/10
- Finished with 1/35.
- While she conceded some runs, her ability to break partnerships was useful in the middle overs.
- Nat Sciver-Brunt: 5/10
- Went wicketless and was somewhat expensive given the flat nature of the track.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who won the MI vs GG WPL 2026 Match 6? A: Mumbai Indians won by 7 wickets with 4 balls remaining.
Q: What was the highest score for Mumbai Indians in this match? A: Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored an unbeaten 71 runs off 43 balls.
Q: What was the total score of Gujarat Giants? A: Gujarat Giants scored 192/5 in their 20 overs, driven by contributions from Beth Mooney (45), Phoebe Litchfield (52), and a late blitz by Bharti Fulmali (36*).
Q: Is 193 MI's highest successful chase in WPL? A: Yes, this 193-run chase is the highest successful run chase in Mumbai Indians' WPL history.
Q: Who was the Player of the Match? A: Harmanpreet Kaur was named Player of the Match for her match-winning unbeaten knock.
Q: What is the head-to-head record between MI and GG after this match? A: Mumbai Indians have extended their dominance to an 8-0 winning streak against Gujarat Giants.
Would you like me to create an image prompt to generate a high-quality featured thumbnail for this article?
Summary Table: Player Impact
| Player | Rating | Role | Key Contribution |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 10/10 | Finisher/Capt | *71 (43)** - Match-winning knock |
| Nicola Carey | 9.5/10 | All-rounder | *38 (23)** - Explosive 16th over |
| Amanjot Kaur | 8/10 | Batter | 40 (26) - Middle-order stability |
| Amelia Kerr | 7.5/10 | Spinner | 2/28 - Key wickets of GG top order |
MI vs GG: 7-WICKET WIN
Harmanpreet Kaur (71*) & Nicola Carey (38*) clinch it for Mumbai!
.jpg&description=MI vs GG WPL 2026 Highlights: Harmanpreet Kaur’s Masterclass Seals a Thrilling Win!){kind=link}
0 Comments