The Gujarat Giants secured a vital 11-run victory over the Mumbai Indians in Match 19 of the TATA Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. This win was a historic moment for the Giants, being their first-ever victory against the Mumbai franchise after eight previous attempts, and it confirmed their spot in the tournament Eliminator.

In a rare move this WPL season, Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner won the toss and elected to bat first, ending a streak of 40 WPL games where teams chose to field. The decision paid off, but not without some early challenges. Openers Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine (25 runs off 21 balls) provided a measured start before their dismissals. The innings was anchored by Anushka Sharma, who scored a steady 33 runs off 31 deliveries (4 fours, 1 six).

The real momentum shift came from a crucial 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket between captain Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Wareham. This partnership was a display of aggressive batting, with the duo hitting boundaries consistently, particularly in the final five overs where the Giants plundered 61 runs for the 4th wicket. Gardner's impactful knock of 46 runs off 28 balls (7 fours, 1 six) and Wareham's unbeaten 44 runs off just 26 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) propelled the Gujarat Giants to a competitive total of 167/4 in their 20 overs.

Chasing 168 runs for a spot in the playoffs, the Mumbai Indians' start was shaky. Openers Hayley Matthews and Sajeevan Sajana fell in the powerplay, putting Mumbai in trouble at 37/3 after just under seven overs, with Nat Sciver-Brunt also dismissed cheaply as Sophie Devine picked two out of the three scalps.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur then took the responsibility to steady the innings. She formed a partnership with Amelia Kerr (20 runs off 16 balls), but once Kerr was dismissed by the impressive Wareham, the required run rate began to soar. Despite wickets falling around her, Harmanpreet displayed a phenomenal fighting spirit. She targeted the shorter leg-side boundary and kept Mumbai in the hunt until the very end, especially in a thrilling final over.

With 26 runs needed off the final over bowled by Gardner, Harmanpreet smashed a four and a six to bring the equation down to a challenging 14 runs from three balls. However, Gardner held her nerve, taking a caught-and-bowled wicket and restricting Mumbai to just 156/7.

Georgia Wareham was deservedly named the Player of the Match for her exceptional all-round performance, scoring 44 not out and taking 2 wickets for 26 runs with the ball.

The result helped Gujarat Giants to book a place in the Eliminator, while the Mumbai Indians now await the result of the final league game to confirm their playoff fate.