Harmanpreet lights up WPL Day for Mumbai in 143-run win
Giants fee-fi-fo floundered to 23 for 7 and then 64 all out after Mooney had to retire hurt
Giants fee-fi-fo floundered to 23 for 7 and then 64 all out after Mooney had to retire hurt
Scorer: K Vairavan | Commentator: Sreshth Shah
11.25pm So the end of a historic day. Result wise, the game did not live up to the hype, but performances from certain individuals certainly did. You can already see some of the young Indian players shining on day one after rubbing shoulders with some overseas players for a week. Can't wait to see what the next few weeks have in store for us. Thank you for your company. On behalf of K Vairavan and Abhimanyu Bose, this is Sreshth Shah saying bye bye.
Harmanpreet Kaur is Player of the Match. So we'll have a two-in-one interview: It was a brilliant start. Feeling like dream come true....first day. We were hoping all things going our way, and they were in our favour. (24 hour ago, what were the chats?) We kept things simple and clear. Told players to play natural. Obviously its a big day for women's cricket but it was all about backing yourself. (Her innings) I just thought I will watch the ball and back myself. I will not think too much, and instead react to the situation. (Captaincy chat at halfway mark) When we were batting, we knew it is a very good batting wicket. When the other team was bowling in the right spot, it was not easy to play. So told our bowlers it will not be easy if you bowl in the right spot. (What next?) Keep doing the same. Big victory, yes, but next games are important."
Nita Ambani: "I think it is such an iconic day and iconic moment for women in sport. It is so thrilling to be part of this wonderful tournament WPL today. (Young girls in the crowd) I loved every moment. I hope this inspires many young girls across the country to take up sports, realise their dreams and follow their hearts. (Result) Mumbai Indians is known to play a certain kind of cricket - fearless and exciting, and our girls have performed so well today. I am proud how they played, it was all-round. Special mention about our captain Harman, what a special innings she played today 65 in 30 balls. Also I felt Amelia Kerr was fabulous - she batted well, bowled well. (Fans) It was so wonderful to see so much support in the stadium."
Tautoru: "They were Scivered and Brunted, with a Hail(ey) of runs, belted by the Kaur-Kerr combo, then Saika psyched them. Hard to choose the POM. "
11.15pm We'll have the presentation shortly. Harmanpreet for Player of the Match? Or Kerr for her unbeaten 45 and two-for? Or maybe the left-arm spinner Ishaque?!
Nat Sciver-Brunt, Mumbai: "Playing the first game was brilliant. When we walked out, it was a big occasion, so I took a few breaths to come down. (Many cultures) That's the best thing about such competitions. Saika is exciting, good to see her enjoy her wickets so much. (Harmanpreet) It's very good to be on the same team. I've had that done to me in the past. She looks to calm in the middle. (Edwards, coach) She's excited for all of us."
Sneh Rana, vice captain of Gujarat Giants: "This is just the start. Some people take time to soak this in, some do it quicker. This was a learning experience and we will come back stronger. Physio will update about Mooney in sometime. (In case she is captain tomorrow) It is an opportunity sure but what I'll want is that the team does not repeat their mistakes. I will tell the girls to keep their heads high and to learn from today. Definitely we will perform good."
11.08pm Mumbai have become the pace setters of the WPL with a whopping win. Harmanpreet smacked 65 in 30, Mathews turned it up with her 31-ball 47, Kerr got 45 in 24 and 2-12, Sciver-Brunt showed solidity with both bat and ball. Vastrakar put a cameo in, and the young bowlers shined.
11.05pm A near-perfect game for Mumbai Indians. Except for Yastika Bhatia, all their players impressed today. The experienced batters came to the fore up top, and their young bowlers, aided by Sciver-Brunt, stepped up in the second innings.
For Giants, a massive hit to their NRR and the possibility that their captain won't be available tomorrow, and we're talking best-case scenario here. She hobbled off today. But the other Giants batters could've stepped up, that they didn't. Only Hemalatha (29) scored over 10.
MC Patel b Ishaque 10 (16m 9b 2x4 0x6) SR: 111.11
Mumbai could've finished the game in the previous over.
Umesh: "Kaur 65. Will Gujarat beat her or won't. That's the question. :)"
Fireworks, loud music, a near sellout crowd, and a special knock from a special player: the opening night had it all
Giants fee-fi-fo floundered to 23 for 7 and then 64 all out after Mooney had to retire hurt
Sweeps, check. Pulls, check. Slices and scythes, check. The famous bat swing was on show. The confidence had perhaps never left
Mumbai have many top-notch allrounders to pick from, while Giants are packed with Australia's world beaters
Garth has already linked up with Giants after Dottin was "recovering from a medical situation"