Gujarat Giants' Title Hopes Dashed After Sixth Straight Loss to Mumbai Indians

Ash Gardner's Gujarat Giants have suffered a setback in their quest for a direct entry into the Women's Premier League final. Despite Gardner's impressive individual performance, the Giants fell to a nine-run defeat against Mumbai Indians, marking their sixth consecutive loss.

Chasing a target of 180, the Giants struggled against Mumbai's formidable international bowling attack. New Zealand's Amelia Kerr claimed three wickets for 34 runs, while West Indies' Hayley Matthews also bagged three wickets, including the crucial scalp of Beth Mooney for just 7 runs. South Africa's Shabnim Ismail chipped in with two wickets, dismissing Gardner for a duck and Phoebe Litchfield for 22.

Mumbai's victory, or even a tie in their final group stage match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, will secure their place in Saturday's final. This will pit the Giants against Meg Lanning's Delhi Capitals in Thursday's eliminator.

Gardner, who won the toss and elected to field, led by example with the ball. She took the key wicket of England's Nat Sciver-Brunt for 38 runs, and also ran out Amelia Kerr for 5 with a brilliant direct hit. She further contributed by catching Amanjot Kaur for 27, limiting Mumbai's late surge.

Harmanpreet Kaur top-scored for Mumbai with a blistering 54 runs off just 33 deliveries before being caught by Litchfield.

The Giants needed to chase down the target within 18 overs to top the table, effectively requiring a run rate of 10 runs per over. However, wickets tumbled as they attempted to accelerate, leaving them at 5-70 after 11 overs.

Bharti Fulmali kept the Giants in the hunt with a valiant 61 runs off 25 balls, but ultimately it proved insufficient as the Giants were bowled out on the final ball of the innings.