Final berth looms large for MI, GG as WPL reaches its final leg

Before the league stage has even hit its final stretch, the Women's Premier League 2025 playoff spots are locked in. Yet, Monday's showdown between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians is far from a dead rubber. It could determine the tournament's first finalist.

Just a few matches ago, Gujarat Giants were placed at the bottom of the table, much like where they had ended their two previous campaigns. But a stunning three-match winning streak has propelled them into a fierce three-way battle with the traditional strong teams of the tournament – Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals – for the top spot.

The equation is simple for them: a loss against MI means an Eliminator match. A win by 17 runs or a chase in 18 overs (assuming the first innings total is 180), and they leapfrog Delhi Capitals on Net Run Rate, with a strong possibility of entering the final directly. For Mumbai Indians, currently third, can strengthen their position with a victory against Giants, but even a defeat might not shut the door on their top-spot ambitions, as they will have another game to spare.

With the tournament now shifting to its most batter-friendly venue, the flat tracks would leave little for bowlers to dictate. Both teams need to unleash the firepower of their batting, a department in which Gujarat have been inconsistent and Mumbai are yet to show their ruthless best. If there's ever a time to reveal their batting might, it's on MI's home turf to end the tournament with a bang!

When: Monday, March 10, 2025, 7:30 PM IST

Where: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai

What to expect: A flat batting surface with dew likely to play a role, toss could be a big factor. Either way, if the batting units don't stutter, plenty of runs could be on offer.

Mumbai Indians:

• Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has experimented with pushing Amelia Kerr up the order to have a left-handed option in Yastika Bhatia in the middle.
• Probable XI: Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, Nat-Sciver Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Yastika Bhatia, S Sajana, Amanjot Kaur, G Kamilini, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Parunika Sisodia

Gujarat Giants:

• Following a three-match winning streak, the best they have witnessed across three seasons, there will be little reason for the Giants to tinker with their plans for this crucial encounter.
• A move up the order for Phoebe Litchfield could be in order.
• Probable XI: Beth Mooney, Harleen Deol, Phoebe Litchfield, Ash Gardner, Deandra Dottin, Dayalan Hemalatha, Kashvee Gautam, Bharti Fulmali, Meghna Singh, Tanuja Kanwar, Priya Mishra