A record of 8-0 in the win-loss record against Gujarat Giants has so far been the definition of Mumbai Indians’ dominance in this rivalry of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). In the penultimate league match, the two sides meet again, this time for a second spot finish.
Both teams have had phases in this tournament wherein they have lost three matches on the bounce. Since that phase, the Mumbai Indians have managed one win, whereas the Gujarat Giants have won two consecutive matches to get their momentum back.
In the first match between these two teams in the 2026 WPL, the Mumbai Indians recorded the second highest run-chase in WPL history riding on Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeated 71 off 43 balls. More importantly, they did so without Nat Sciver-Brunt’s presence in the eleven. Sciver-Brunt is currently the orange cap holder of the tournament and recorded the first ever century in the WPL history.
Mumbai Indians: The fourth overseas player conundrum
The Mumbai Indians will scratch their heads in finalizing the four overseas player for this important fixture. Amelie Kerr being in contention for the purple cap, and Sciver-Brunt donning the orange cap currently finalizes them as two of the four foreign players in the eleven. Nicola Carey’s iconic partnership with Harmanpreet in the chase against Giants’ tally of 192 in the first match keeps her as an essential lower middle-order batter for MI.
Shabnim Ismail might have taken only five wickets in six matches, but her impressive economy of 6.00 makes her inclusion a mandate for the powerplay and death overs. Hayley Matthews’ all-round display of 56(39) and 3/10 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their previous match helped the team get back to winning ways after a three-match losing streak.
Despite their struggles in picking a consistent opening pair due to dynamic rotations between Gunalan Kamalini, Amanjot Kaur, and Sajeevan Sajana, the Kaur and Sciver-Brunt have almost always stepped up to propel the team’s innings forward despite the loss of an early wicket. Both Kaur and Sciver-Brunt are currently among the top three run-getters of the tournament. Kerr, Mathews, and Ismail have been the best bowlers for the Mumbai Indians, with staggering contributions from Vaishnavi Sharma and Sanskriti Gupta.
Mumbai Indians’ middle order hasn’t been tested as often. Wicket-keeper Rahila Firdous has played two matches but is yet to bat. Amanjot Kaur’s all-round abilities do make up for a few potholes in the lower middle order and bowling deficits.
In T20s
Sophie Devine to Nat Sciver-Brunt
Runs: 92 (7×4; 4×6)
Balls: 64
Outs: 4
Dots: 23Nat Sciver-Brunt to Sophie Devine
Runs: 66 (10×4; 1×6)
Balls: 50
Outs: 1
Dots: 19#WPL #GGvMI #MIvGG— Dr Balraj | બલરાજ (@balrajshukla) January 30, 2026
Gujarat Giants: A powerhouse beyond Sophie Devine
Sophie Devine has been Gujarat’s leading run-scorer and wicket-taker this season. The veteran Kiwi performed a double against the Delhi Capitals as she defended 7 and 9 off the last overs of both their matches against the Capitals. Along with Beth Mooney, the Giants have a formidable opening record, compared to Mumbai who has struggled to rotate between Gunalan Kamalini, Amanjot Kaur, and Sajeevan Sajana.
Anushka Sharma has been one of the promising players emerged from this year’s WPL. Kanika Ahuja will look to recreate the 35 off 18 that she hit against the Mumbai Indians in the first match. Tanuja Kanwer’s pinch-hitting with Bharti Fulmali in the lower middle order makes Gujarat’s batting line-up appear as one that performed more uniformly than Mumbai.
Devine, along with Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner have scored the bulk of the runs for the Giants. The Giants will expect Georgia Wareham to step up in this game considering her topsy-turvy all-round run this season. Rajeshwari Gayakwad has quickly raced to nine wickets in only five matches with an economy of 6.60, making her Gujarat’s most sought-after bowler now along side Renuka Thakur. Kashvee Gautam’s role as a supporting pace bowler to Renuka has been met with inconsistencies and Gardner will have to ponder on which phase of the innings she needs Gautam to perform her best.
Ash Gardner who admitted to underbowling herself in the previous match against Mumbai Indians will definitely rope in with more overs after ensuring that her overs do not align with Harmanpreet at the crease.
At the Kotambi stadium, 9 of the 13 matches are won by the side bowling first. Thus far, the Giants haven’t relied as much on Devine, Mooney, and Gardner, compared to how Mumbai have always almost banked on Sciver-Brunt and Kaur this season.
Mumbai Indians (probable XI): Nat Sciver-Brunt, Gunalan Kamalini (wk), Harmanpreet Kaur, Amelie Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Nicola Carey, Sajeevan Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, Vaishnavi Sharma, Poonam Khemnar, Shabnim Ismail
Gujarat Giants (probable XI): Beth Mooney (wk), Sophie Devine, Anushka Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner, Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Bharti Fulmali, Tanuja Kanwer, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Thakur, Kashvee Gautam
