WPL 2023, MI-W vs GG-W: Harmanpreet Kaur creates history with 30-ball 65 in tournament opener

Navi Mumbai, Mar 4: Captain Harmanpreet Kaur gave an electrifying start to the inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League as Mumbai Indians posted a mammoth 207 for five against Gujarat Giants in the opening game of the WPL 2023.

Put in to bat first by Gujarat Giants' skipper Beth Mooney, Mumbai Indians rode on a scintillating knock of 65 off just 30 balls at the DY Patil Stadium on Saturday (March 4).

Mumbai Indians, as well as WPL, couldn't have asked for a better start to their campaign in the debut season of the cash-rich T20 league.

Mumbai Indians Women were off to a flying start despite losing Yastika Bhatia in the third over as star West Indies batter Hayley Matthews smashed 47 off 31 balls before the Indian captain took over.

Harmanpreet Kaur creates record in WPL

In the company of Amelia Kerr (45 off 24 balls), Harmanpreet scored runs at a brisk pace to set their opponents a stiff target. The Moga cricketer smashed 14 exquisite boundaries in her imperious knock and scored runs at a strike rate of 216.67.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur madness! pic.twitter.com/lEiTXFlMaJ

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 4, 2023

With her explosive knock, the Indian batter immortalised her name by becoming the first batter in the tournament to slam a fifty. Her teammates Matthews and Kerr were unlucky to have missed out on well-deserved half-centuries and create history.

India all-rounder Sneh Rana was the pick of the bowlers for Gujarat Giants as she returned with figures of 2/43 from her quota of 4 overs.

Brief scores:

Mumbai Indians: 207/5 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 65, Hayley Matthews 47, Amelia Kerr 45 not out; Sneh Rana 2/43).