gujarat giants culminating in a win over their ultimate rivals on Friday night, giving the crowd a great performance Beat Mumbai Indians for the first time exist WPL history.

Gujarat Giants end losing streak and secure WPL 2026 playoff spot

After suffering an 8-game losing streak against the defending champions, the Giants chose the perfect time to break their bad luck and lock in a spot in the 2026 playoffs. In a game that swings like a pendulum, Ashley Gardner‘The team showed immense courage to defend their overall result in a high-pressure environment in Vadodara. The win, which sparked jubilant celebrations in the Gujarat dugout, officially takes their tally to 10 points, ensuring they cannot be overtaken in the race for the top three spots. For Mumbai, the defeat puts their promotion hopes in jeopardy as they will now have to rely on other results to achieve their target.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s heroic resistance against Mumbai Indians fails

The second innings was decided by a heroic yet heartbreaking knock from the MI captain Harmanpreet Kaurhe threatened to complete a miracle chase single-handedly. Mumbai found themselves at 37/3 while chasing a target of 168 balls, but Harmanpreet refused to surrender and scored an unbeaten 82 off 48 balls. Her innings showcased sheer power and positioning, including eight fours and four towering sixes, keeping the required ratio within reach until the end.

The match turned into a mountain in the final over as Mumbai needed a daunting 26 runs to clinch victory. Despite the captain’s best efforts to find the boundary Ashley GardnerThe task proved impossible, as the Giants’ pitching staff executed their plan flawlessly. Mumbai finished on 156/7, 11 runs short of the target despite Harmanpreet’s highest score of the season. The result marked the first time the Giants had successfully defended their title against the mighty Mumbai side, ending a losing streak that had dogged them since the inception of the league.

Watch also: WPL 2026: Beth Mooney out after Sajeevan Sajana’s jaw-dropping grab during GG-W vs MI-W clash

Brilliant tactics and bowling heroes ensure victory for Gujarat Giants

The Giants’ path to victory was paved by a disciplined bowling performance that complemented their historic decision to bat first at the Cottamby Stadium. earlier in the evening, Georgia Wareham (44) and Gardner (46) powered the team to a competitive 167/4, a total that gave the bowlers enough cushion to apply pressure.

Sophie Devine He proved to be the unlikely hero on the ball, providing the initial breakthrough by neutralizing danger Haley Matthews (6) and Nat Silver-Brent (2) Rapid succession. Wareham then used a suffocating mid-pressure squeeze, claiming 2/26 and removing the set Amelia Kerr Just when the partnership with Harmanpreet started flourishing.

Kashvi Gautam and Rajeshwari Gayakwad Also adding important wickets, ensuring that Mumbai’s lower-order side never got a chance to support their captain’s attack. The most crucial tactical coup was Gardner’s own dying spell, which effectively killed the game’s momentum by keeping her cool during the high-pressure final. The Giants defense was sharp despite the humidity making it difficult to hold on to the ball, Badi Fumali and Anushka Sharma Bag high pressure buckles to maintain high pressure. The 11-match win officially confirmed Gujarat’s place in the playoffs and marked a stunning turnaround for a team that started the season as underdogs.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Harmanpreet is called clutch for a reason. Unlike some, she always does the hard work for her team. She’s taken a lot of hits like this in the WPL.

— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) January 30, 2026

The Undisputed Queen of WPL Harmanpreet Kaur

— Arfan (@Im__Arfan) January 30, 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur played well 👏

When the going gets tough, the captain sets off 👏🔥

📷-BCCI.#indvsnz #rohitsharma #shubmangill #baratami #harmanpreet pic.twitter.com/1VXgFOn9rQ

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) January 30, 2026

HARMANPREET KAUR – WPL 2026 Orange Hat Rack.

Captain, leader, legend, Kaur🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/ipCmxh1yDy

——Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 30, 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur is easily the second-best player in WPL history behind Nat Sciver-Brunt. pic.twitter.com/d7q7h52M4I

— Ratnish (@LoyalSachinFan) January 30, 2026

Hard Battle Captain Harmanpreet Kaur 82*(48) 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Snl9kdvFRY

— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) January 30, 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur is the real clutch god from India👑

— Kusha Sharma  (@Kushacritic) January 30, 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur, she should be stopped, season after season, game after game, she keeps doing it.

— Sai (@akakrcb6) January 30, 2026

https://twitter.com/meme_ki_diwani/status/2017289884747346304

Gujarat Giants beat MI for the first time in WPL history 🔥

– They qualify for the knockout rounds 🙌#MIvGG #Gujaratgiants #WPL2026 pic.twitter.com/QXye2j0ds1

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) January 30, 2026

Also read: Gujarat Giants break WPL’s 40-match winning streak as Mumbai Indians take on Baroda

This article was first published in Women’s Cricket Netone cricket era company.