By Sinjini Mitra
Harmanpreet Kaur continued to make crisis management look like a routine in the early stages of the Women’s Premier League 2026, producing her second rescue act in three days to guide the Mumbai Indians to a seven-wicket victory over Gujarat Giants on Tuesday, 13th January 2026.
Chasing a stiff target of 193, MI found themselves in early trouble once again, slipping to 37 for two. Just as she had done against Delhi Capitals a few nights earlier, Harmanpreet took charge with authority in anchoring the chase with an undefeated 71 that underlined her importance as both a leader and a good batter.
Walking in with the asking rate climbing and wickets already down, the MI captain began cautiously, focusing on strike rotation before shifting its gears at the right moment. The momentum swung decisively in the ninth over when she took on Georgia Wareham before launching a calculated assault on Renuka Thakur two overs later. Harmanpreet used the straight boundaries to perfection by mixing power with placement to steady MI’s innings.
She continued to press the accelerator, dispatching Ashleigh Gardner for a straight six in the 12th over and keeping the scoreboard ticking against the spinners. Her half-century came off just 33 balls in the 17th over, but with work still to be done, the batter ensured that there were no lapses in focus.
Crucial support came from Amanjot Kaur, who played the ideal supporting role with a brisk 40 off 26 balls, peppered with seven boundaries. The 72-run partnership between the two was put together in just 44 balls and became the backbone of MI’s success.
After Amanjot’s fall of wicket, Nicola Carey made sure MI did not stumble at the finish. The left-hander, walking in during the 13th over, tore into Renuka Thakur in the 16th, collecting four boundaries and benefitting from a leg-bye four to swing the match firmly in MI’s favor. Carey remained unbeaten on 38 off 23 balls, adding a decisive 84-run stand with Harmanpreet as MI reached the target with four balls to spare, extending their dominant head-to-head record against GG in the WPL.
Earlier, Gujarat Giants posted a competitive 192 for five after being asked to bat. Sophie Devine, the tournament’s leading run-scorer coming into the match, had to endure her first failure of the season, falling for eight to Shabnim Ismail in the third over. However, Kanika Ahuja briefly showcased the impact of Indian batters that GG captain Ashleigh Gardner had spoken about at the toss, striking a fluent 35 off 18 balls at No. 3.
After MI’s bowlers tightened the screws in the middle overs to reduce GG to 130 for five after 15 overs, Bharti Fulmali provided the late impetus. Her unbeaten 36 off 15 balls, including a 20-run final over off Amanjot Kaur, lifted Gujarat to a strong total.
In the end, however, Harmanpreet Kaur’s measured yet decisive innings proved the difference, as Mumbai Indians once again relied on their captain’s calm under pressure to seal a commanding win.