Gujarat Giants Claim Historic First Win Over MI to Seal Playoff Spot

Gujarat Giants etched their name in WPL history with an 11-run victory over defending champions Mumbai Indians at Vadodara, their first-ever win against MI after eight previous defeats, securing an Eliminator berth by posting 167 for 4 before restricting the two-time champions to 156 for 7.

Opting to bat first, Gujarat recovered from a mid-innings slowdown through skipper Ashleigh Gardner's counter-punching 46 off 28 balls. Georgia Wareham complemented with a brisk 44 not out off 26, their 71-run stand lifting the total from a precarious position to a challenging 167 for 4 despite Amelia Kerr's 2 for 26.

Defending 168 on a turning track, Gujarat's attack struck early and maintained relentless pressure. Sophie Devine claimed 2 for 23 including key breakthroughs, while Wareham added 2 for 26 to choke the scoring despite Harmanpreet Kaur's defiant unbeaten 82 off 48 (8x4, 4x6).

MI needed 13 off the final over but managed only 5, handing Gujarat a historic breakthrough that broke MI's stranglehold and propelled them into playoffs with momentum. The clinical all-round showing transforms Gujarat's campaign trajectory at the perfect time.