Gujarat Giants 107 for 9 (Harleen 22, Sciver-Brunt 3-21, Matthews 3-23, Kerr 2-18) were defeated by Mumbai Indians 162 for 8 (Harmanpreet 51, Yastika 44, Gardner 3-34) by 55 runs.
Harmanpreet Kaur felt as though she was under constant strain a little more than a year ago. Her shape had deteriorated, and the rough patch she dismissed just wouldn’t go away.
The situation was made worse by Covid-19 and its consequences, which caused women’s cricket in the nation to come to a complete halt. Harmanpreet “fell into a shell” when she was confronted with a challenge after the restart.
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to say that.
Harmanpreet is lifting the bar and savouring the independence she appears to have granted herself a year later. It’s also the kind of freedom she experiences as the captain of Mumbai Indians in the first Women’s Premier League, a bunch of exceptionally talented match-winners.
Harmanpreet was there for her squad on Thursday, as she has been throughout the tournament. A mix-up with her skipper cost Mumbai Yastika Bhatia, who was just lost to a run out. Mumbai needed a boost of energy when they were 84 for 3 in the 13th over.
That’s what Harmanpreet’s knock accomplished. Mumbai already has a playoff spot secured thanks to their fifth straight victory, even though it wasn’t quite the showstopper. Despite the fact that the competition has advanced over the midway point, they are still the only unbeaten team.
Yastika and Nat Sciver-74-run Brunt’s stand, which they put together after Hayley Matthews was out for a three-ball duck in the first over after Gujarat Giants decided to field, was a crucial part of Harmanpreet’s contribution to making sure they built on that foundation.
The high backlift, the fierce sweeps, the subtle touches, and the strong bottom hand were all present in her 51 off 30 balls. On the penultimate over, both off Annabel Sutherland, she was able to reel off seven fours and two sixes with their assistance.
Both shots required excellent wrist work and timing as she stood deep in her crease and turned a yorker-length delivery into a half-volley that she blasted over the ropes. The first was a strong heave over square leg after a high full toss.