On a winter Tuesday evening, Harmanpreet Kaur scripted history by guiding the Mumbai Indians to the highest successful chase in the Women’s Premier League. Kaur rewrote history and etched her side’s name in golden letters by producing a real captain’s performance. She not just led her side from the front, but also made sure they got over the line.
Mumbai won the toss and invited the Gujarat Giants to bat first who put up a mammoth total of 192/5 in 20 overs. Georgia Wareham and Bharti Fulmali took the Giants to a picture perfect total in the first innings and set the stage for their bowlers, but little did they know that Harmanpreet would turn the game on its head, all on her own.
The Indians lost their first wicket in the third over when Gunalan Kamalini was sent back by Renuka Singh. Hayley Matthews got out in the fifth over when the scoreline read 37/2 and then the skipper walked in. She started slow with Amanjot Kaur pulling the strings and allowing her captain some time to settle in.
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The duo put together a solid partnership of 72 runs where Amanjot contributed 38 runs while Harmanpreet scored 33. Amanjot took down Gujarat’s pacers before the Indian skipper joined the attack in full swing. She hit a beautiful six in the 11th over against Renuka SIngh and did not look back from there on.
But, on the first ball of the 13th over, their partnership was brought to an end by Sophie Divine who sent Amanjot Kaur back to the pavilion. However, Harmanpreet did not let anything affect her focus and took on the other ballers after Amanjot’s dismissal. She received full support from Nicola Carey who continued her fine run of form and decided to go big against Renuka Singh.
Harmanpreet reached her half-century in the 17th over while MI needed 30 off 18. Everything was going in her favour, including a three dropped catches. Gujarat’s horrific fielding coupled with Harmanpreet’s extraordinary mindset helped Mumbai Indian record their highest chase.
Kaur scored 71 runs in 43 balls with a strike rate of 165.12. Her innings included seven boundaries and two maximums.
To sum up an extraordinary night filled with multiple emotions, Amanjot Kaur said, “Everyone is blessed that they are getting to see the Harmanpreet Kaur era.”
