Giants of Gujarat they finally conquered their latest foe with a high-octane performance on Friday night defeated Mumbai Indians for the first time in WPL date.
Gujarat Giants snapped their losing streak to seal their WPL 2026 playoff berth
After 8 straight losses against the defending champions, the Giants picked the perfect moment to break the streak, securing their spot in the 2026 postseason. In a game that swings like a pendulum, Ashley Gardner‘‘s side showed great courage to defend overall in a high-pressure environment in Vadodara. The win sparked jubilant celebrations in the Gujarat dugout as they officially moved up to 10 points, ensuring they can’t leave them behind in the race for the top three. A defeat for Mumbai leaves their qualification hopes hanging by a thread as they now have to rely on other results to go their way.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s gutsy resistance against Mumbai Indians is lacking
The second innings was defined by a heroic but gutsy knock from the MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaurthreatened to pursue the miracle on his own. Chasing a target of 168, Mumbai found themselves reeling at 37/3, but Harmanpreet refused to give up, smashing 82 off 48 balls. His innings was a display of sheer power and placement, featuring eight fours and four powerful sixes, keeping the required pace within reach.
The equation turned mountain in the final as Mumbai needed a tough 26 runs to win. Despite all the efforts of the captain to find the border Ashley GardnerAs the Giants’ bowlers executed their plan perfectly, the task became impossible. Despite Harmanpreet’s highest score of the season, Mumbai were agonizingly 11 runs short of the target at 156/7. The result was the first time the giants successfully defended against the Mumbai Knights, ending the losing streak that has haunted them since the start of the league.
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Tactical brilliance and bowling heroics ensure victory for Gujarat Giants
The Giants’ road to victory was paved by a disciplined bowling display that complemented their historic decision to bat first at the Kotambi Stadium. early in the evening Georgia Wareham (44) and Gardner (46) took the side to a competitive 167/4, which provided the bowlers with enough cushion to apply pressure.
Sophie Devine proved to be an unlikely hero with the ball securing the initial breakthroughs by eliminating the dangerous. Hayley Matthews (6) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (2) consecutively. Wareham then applied a suffocating middle squeeze, claiming 2/26, taking out the set. Amelia Kerr As the partnership with Harmanpreet began to blossom.
Kashvee Gautam and Rajeshwari Gayakwad while also scoring vital wickets, ensuring that the Mumbai lower order never had a chance to support their skipper’s attack. The most important tactical masterstroke was Gardner’s spell at the death, where he kept his cool during a high-pressure final to effectively kill the game’s momentum. The Giants’ pitching remained sharp, though the humidity made it difficult to catch the ball Bharti Fulmali and Anushka Sharma pouching high pressure plugs to keep the pressure high. This 11-run win officially confirms Gujarat’s place in the playoffs and marks a sensational turnaround for a team that started the season as underdogs.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Harmanpreet is called clutch for a reason. He always takes tough tests for his team unlike anyone else. He has many such shots in the WPL.
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) January 30, 2026
The undisputed queen of WPL, Harmanpreet Kaur
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) January 30, 2026
Well done Harmanpreet Kaur 👏
When the going gets tough, the Captain goes 👏🔥
📷- BCCI.#indvsnz #rohitsharma #shubmangill #bharatarmy #harmanpreet pic.twitter.com/1VXgFOn9rQ
– Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) January 30, 2026
HARMANPREET KAUR – ORANGE CAP HOLDER in WPL 2026.
Captain, Leader, Legend, Kaur 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/ipCmxh1yDy
– Jones. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 30, 2026
Harmanpreet Kaur is easily the second best WPL player behind only Nat Sciver-Brunt. pic.twitter.com/d7q7h52M4I
— RATNISH (@LoyalSachinFan) January 30, 2026
Hard-fighting Captain Harmanpreet Kaur 82*(48) 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Snl9kdvFRY
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) January 30, 2026
Harmanpreet Kaur is a true clutch goddess from India 👑
— Kusha Sharma (@Kushacritic) January 30, 2026
Harmanpreet Kaur, she has to be stopped season after season, match after match, she continues to do so.
— Sai (@akakrcb6) January 30, 2026
https://twitter.com/meme_ki_diwani/status/2017289884747346304
Gujarat Giants registered their first win against MI in WPL history 🔥
– They qualify for the eliminator 🙌#MIvGG #GujaratGiants #WPL2026 pic.twitter.com/QXye2j0ds1
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) January 30, 2026
Also READ: Gujarat Giants broke their 40-match WPL streak when they clashed with Mumbai Indians in Vadodara
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
