In the opening game of the Women’s Premier League, Mumbai Indians showcased a commanding batting display, starting strong despite being asked to bat first by their own team. The visitors amassed an enormous score of 207/5 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to an impressive knock of 65 runs off only 30 deliveries by their skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.
Nevertheless, the hosts could have faced a greater challenge if not for the intervention of the world’s top all-rounder, Ashleigh Gardner, who prevented the scoreline from being even more daunting.
Hayley Matthews, the Caribbean opener, was on a roll, playing an aggressive innings and scoring 47 runs off just 30 deliveries when Ashleigh Gardner took the ball in the 10th over. Gardner bowled a rapid delivery, slightly outside the off-stump, tempting Matthews to play a backfoot drive.
However, the ball spun viciously, surprising Matthews, and hitting the gap between her bat and pads. The West Indian opener was left disheartened as she missed out on her half-century. Meanwhile, Gujarat celebrated the wicket with wild enthusiasm, as the stumps were disturbed.
Gardner’s impact left Twitter in awe, and netizens swiftly took to the social media platform to express their reactions.