In the opening game of the Women's T20 League 2023, Mumbai and Gujarat locked horns at the D.Y Patil Stadium. After winning the toss, Gujarat skipper Beth Mooney decided to bowl first. She said ย "We'll have a bowl, good grass here. Chasing has been successful here. WTL will be exciting for the fans, looking forward to get stuck in."
On the other hand, Mumbai skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said "This wicket is very good to bat on. Bowling department also has something on this pitch. Most importantly, we need to enjoy and express ourselves." Meanwhile, the Blue Brigade, Mumbai lost the wicket of Yastika Bhatia in the third over of the innings. At this stage, the likes of Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt put together 54 runs for the second wicket.
The West Indies international, Matthews scored 47 off just 31 balls including three fours and four sixes. On the other hand, England international, Sciver got 23 off 18 balls including five fours. However, the team got into trouble as both players got out in the ninth and 10th over of the innings respectively. However, the likes of skipper Kaur and Amelia Kerr put together 89 runs for the fourth wicket in just seven overs.
The former scored 65 off 30 balls including 14 fours. On the other hand, Kerr got an unbeaten 45 off 23 balls including six fours and a six. In the end, Pooja Vastrakar (15) and Issy Wong (six off one ball) helped the team reach 207/5. For the Gujarat side, Tanuja Kanwar bowled with an economy of six runs per over. Apart from her, every other bowler went on a journey.
Gujarat surrendered during the chase
In reply, the Orange Army got off to a horror start. Skipper Mooney retired hurt in the first over of the second innings. After this, the team lost seven wickets for just 23 runs. This pretty much reminded the fans about the opening game of the Men's Indian T20 League 2008. In that game, Kolkata scored more than 220 runs, riding on Brendon McCullum's 158 not out.
In reply, Bangalore was bowled for 80-odd runs. 15 years, the Women's T20 League's inaugural game ended in pretty much the same way. In the end, the Ahmedabad-based side was bowled out for 64 runs. With this, they lost the game by a whopping 144 runs. For the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, Saika Ishaque took four wickets. On the other hand, Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr took two wickets each while Issy Wong took one.
This is how Twitter reacted
Destructive Starts ๐ฅ#WPL2023 #GGvMI #GGvsMI pic.twitter.com/toTpLobmtt
โ RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) March 4, 2023
Harman เคเค เคเคเฅเคจเคพ! ๐ฅ
โ Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 4, 2023
6โฃ5โฃ of the highest order!@ImHarmanpreet | #OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #AaliRe #WPL2023 #GGvMI pic.twitter.com/xkZVoW2oJc
What a start๐ #WPL2023 #GGvMI #HarmanpreetKaur pic.twitter.com/cgOVEIHeWI
โ LoL๐ (@uttarakhandi200) March 4, 2023
143 runs victory ๐ฅ๐
โ Rahul Devadasan (@RahulDevadasan6) March 4, 2023
What a special start @mipaltan ๐#WPL2023 pic.twitter.com/CfW00H6uob
Saika Ishaque. What a way to start it on screen. ๐ฅโจ
โ Saran R S (@CricaholicJammy) March 4, 2023
Well done @mipaltan. ๐คฉ
WPL will get me closer to these women players that I was totally unaware of. ๐ฅนโฅ๏ธ#CricketTwitter #WPL2023 #MIvsGG
The usual #MumbaiIndians show @mipaltan #WPL2023 #TATAIPL2023
โ Mohit Srivastava (@MS_MohitSri) March 4, 2023
Today hype of Women's IPL 1st Match >>> PSL , In All Cricket Playing Nations ๐ฅ #WPL2023 || #PSL2023 pic.twitter.com/gzxqNWpgrb
โ Sir BoiesX ๐ฏ (@BoiesX45) March 4, 2023
We might see another title for Mumbai Indians. They are looking way strong.
โ Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) March 4, 2023
#WomensIPL#WPL2023 #WomensPremierLeague #MIvsGG
โ Saumi (Forever SidNaazian) ๐ฎ๐ณ๐๐ (@BasuSaumi) March 4, 2023
The Blockbuster Opening For #MumbaiIndians Girls๐๐
Such An Exciting Show ๐#HarmanpreetKaur #NatSciver #AmeliaKerr pic.twitter.com/hpLj1wA0cS
Mumbai Indians posted 207 for 5 from 20 overs, led by Harmanpreet Kaur show 65(30) & well supported by Hayley & Kerr.#TATAWPL #WPL2023 #WomensIPL #MIvGG pic.twitter.com/xlNrP9lVJC
โ TROLL PAKISTAN CRICKET (@TrollPakistanii) March 4, 2023