WPL 2026: Fans react after Harmanpreet Kaur’s brave knock in vain as Gujarat Giants ends losing streak vs MI to seal playoff spot

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Gujarat Giants finally conquered their ultimate nemesis on Friday night, delivering a high-octane performance to defeat Mumbai Indians for the first time in WPL history.

After suffering 8 consecutive defeats against the defending champions, the Giants chose the perfect moment to break the jinx, securing their place in the 2026 postseason. In a game that swung like a pendulum, Ashleigh Gardner‘s side displayed immense grit to defend their total in a high-pressure environment at Vadodara. The victory sparked jubilant celebrations in the Gujarat dugout as they officially moved to 10 points, ensuring they cannot be overtaken in the race for the top three. For Mumbai, the defeat leaves their qualification hopes hanging by a thread, as they must now rely on other results to go their way.

The second innings was defined by a heroic yet heartbreaking knock from MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who threatened to pull off a miracle chase single-handedly. Chasing a target of 168, Mumbai found themselves reeling at 37/3, but Harmanpreet refused to yield, smashing a brilliant unbeaten 82 off 48 balls. Her innings was a showcase of pure power and placement, featuring eight fours and four towering sixes that kept the required rate within reach until the very end.

The equation became a mountain in the final over, as Mumbai needed a daunting 26 runs to pull off the win. Despite the skipper’s best efforts to find the boundary against Ashleigh Gardner, the task proved impossible as the Giants’ bowlers executed their plans to perfection. Mumbai finished at 156/7, agonizingly short of the target by 11 runs despite Harmanpreet’s highest score of the season. This result marked the first time the Giants had successfully defended a score against the Mumbai juggernaut, ending a losing streak that had haunted them since the league’s inception.

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The Giants’ path to victory was paved by a disciplined bowling performance that complemented their historic decision to bat first at the Kotambi Stadium. Earlier in the evening,  Georgia Wareham (44) and Gardner (46) had powered the side to a competitive 167/4, a total that provided the bowlers with enough cushion to apply pressure.

Sophie Devine proved to be the unlikely hero with the ball, providing the initial breakthroughs by removing the dangerous Hayley Matthews (6) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (2) in quick succession. Wareham then applied a suffocating middle-over squeeze, claiming 2/26 and removing the set Amelia Kerr just as the partnership with Harmanpreet began to flourish.

Kashvee Gautam and Rajeshwari Gayakwad also chipped in with vital wickets, ensuring that the Mumbai lower order never had a chance to support their captain’s onslaught. The most crucial tactical masterstroke was Gardner’s own spell at the death, where she maintained her composure during the high-pressure final over to effectively kill the game’s momentum. Despite the humidity making the ball difficult to grip, the Giants’ fielding remained sharp, with Bharti Fulmali and Anushka Sharma pouching high-pressure catches to keep the pressure high. This 11-run victory officially confirms Gujarat’s spot in the Playoffs, marking a sensational turnaround for a team that started the season as underdogs.

There is a reason why Harmanpreet is called clutch. She is always making the tough runs for her team, unlike certain someone. She has so many of such knocks in WPL.

— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) January 30, 2026

Undisputed Queen of WPL Harmanpreet Kaur

— arfan (@Im__Arfan) January 30, 2026

Well played Harmanpreet Kaur 👏

When the going gets tough, the Captain gets going 👏🔥

📷- BCCI.#indvsnz #rohitsharma #shubmangill #bharatarmy #harmanpreet

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) January 30, 2026

HARMANPREET KAUR – ORANGE CAP HOLDER IN WPL 2026.

Captain, Leader, Legend, Kaur 🇮🇳

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 30, 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur is easily the second best WPL player ever only behind Nat Sciver-Brunt.

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) January 30, 2026

Hard fought Captain Harmanpreet Kaur 82*(48) 🫡

— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) January 30, 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur is the real clutch god from India 👑

— Kusha Sharma  (@Kushacritic) January 30, 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur, she should be stopped man season after season, match after match, she keeps doing it.

— Sai (@akakrcb6) January 30, 2026

https://twitter.com/meme_ki_diwani/status/2017289884747346304

Gujarat Giants register their first-ever win against MI in WPL history 🔥

– They qualify for the Eliminator 🙌#MIvGG #GujaratGiants #WPL2026

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) January 30, 2026

Also READ: Gujarat Giants shatters 40-match WPL streak in Mumbai Indians clash in Vadodara

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.