As defending champions Mumbai Indians qualified for the knockout stages of the 2nd edition Women’s Premier League (WPL), skipper Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front with a scintillating knock of 95* against UP Warriorz. The team got a 7-wicket win against Beth Mooney’s side as they seek to defend their title this year. In the course of the victory, Harmanpreet Kaur broke several records which were etched in the history books.
The defending champions are the first team to qualify for the #TATAWPL 2024 Playoffs 🤩#GGvMI | @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/6traS0oL45
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 9, 2024
A Master Class@imharmanpreet led from the front as she pulls off a famous win for @mipaltan 👌#MI are the first team to qualify for the #TATAWPL playoffs this season#MIvGG pic.twitter.com/NCLiIf1BgQ
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 9, 2024
Records Broken By Harmanpreet
After being set a challenging target of 191 runs, Mumbai Indians successfully chased it down with just one ball to spare. Yastika Bhatia provided a solid start with a score of 49 runs before being dismissed by Ash Gardner. Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt couldn’t contribute much.
Under pressure, Harmanpreet Kaur stepped up her game, initially scoring 15 runs off 16 balls before accelerating to reach her fifty off 33 balls. Despite the required run rate increasing, Harmanpreet remained composed, finishing unbeaten on 95 runs off 48 balls, including 10 fours and 5 sixes. She partnered with Amelia Kerr for an unbroken 97-run stand for the fourth wicket.
This successful chase of 191 runs marked the highest in the history of WPL, surpassing the previous record held by Royal Challengers Bangalore against the Giants. Harmanpreet’s innings also set a new individual record for Mumbai Indians in WPL, surpassing Hayley Matthews’ previous mark. Her 95 not out was the third-highest individual score in WPL history.
Harmanpreet also surpassed Smriti Mandhana’s record for the highest individual score by an Indian in WPL. Mumbai Indians’ aggressive batting in the last 6 overs also set a new record of scoring 91 runs. Additionally, Harmanpreet became the first Indian and second overall to surpass the 500-run mark in WPL, following Meg Lanning of Delhi Capitals.
