WPL 2026: Gujarat Giants opt to bat first against Mumbai Indians
Vadodara, January 30
Gujarat Giants won the toss and decided to bat first against Mumbai Indians in the 19th match of the Women's Premier League 2026 at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, on Friday.
After winning the toss, Gujarat Giants skipper Ashleigh Gardner said they will bat.
"We are going to have a bat tonight. We have to look at the games we have won; it is basically a quarterfinal here, hopefully we can set a total up and defend it with a ball. Same team. The past is the past, we have to focus on what the present looks like, last game we played these guys, we put up 190 and could not defend it," she said.
Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said, "We wanted to bowl only. I am glad we got that opportunity. Every match is a new match, every day is a new day, we have a good record, but we have to play good cricket to win the game. Same team."
The hosts desperately need a victory to secure their place in the next stage of the tournament. Whereas the Mumbai Indians will also look to finish the group stage with a win and solidify their chances for the finals. The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, have already qualified for the final.
Gujarat Giants Women (Playing XI): Beth Mooney(w), Sophie Devine, Anushka Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner(c), Georgia Wareham, Bharti Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwer, Renuka Singh Thakur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Mumbai Indians Women (Playing XI): Hayley Matthews, Sajeevan Sajana, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Rahila Firdous(w), Sanskriti Gupta, Vaishnavi Sharma, Shabnim Ismail, Poonam Khemnar.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Harmanpreet Kaur wanted to bowl, and she got her wish. MI's bowling attack looks strong with Shabnim Ismail. Gujarat's top order needs to be solid from ball one. This is a virtual knockout!
Good to see so many young Indian talents getting a chance like Sajana, Sanskriti, and Kashvee. WPL is doing wonders for women's cricket in our country. The future is bright! 🇮🇳
Gardner's comment about the past being the past shows good mentality. But honestly, Gujarat's bowling let them down last match. They need to defend better today, no excuses.
MI is already a strong unit, but Gujarat has nothing to lose. Hope Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine give a fiery start. Let's go Giants! Need a big total on the board.
The pressure is really on Gujarat. It's a do-or-die match for them. Batting first means they believe in their batters. Fingers crossed for a good game of cricket! 🏏
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