Mithali Raj, a former Indian captain, offered commentary on Bharti Fulmali’s incredible 61-run knock off 25 balls. She commended Fulmali for increasing her range and using the WPL as the ideal setting to improve her batting skills. After a top-order collapse, Mithali praised Fulmali and Simran Shaikh’s efforts to lead their team to victory.
The Women’s Premier League 2025 match between the Gujarat Giants Women and the Mumbai Indians Women ended up being an intense thriller. In a match that went to the last over, Mumbai was able to cross the finish line by a margin of nine runs.
“I believe that Bharti Fulmali deserves recognition for her exceptional shot timing and for reviving the Gujarat Giants in the match. She used to be a one-dimensional player who mostly scored on-side runs. Today, however, we witnessed her blasting boundaries square of the wicket and hammering sixes straight over the bowler’s head. She has undoubtedly become better, and I think her time in the Women’s Premier League has allowed her to grow and broaden her skill set. Additionally, Simran Shaikh made two significant hits that deepened the game and brought the Gujarat Giants closer. “They both played really well,” Mithali Raj said on Amul Cricket Live on JioHotstar.
Mithali Raj said that the more experience in Mumbai’s unit was what enabled them to exit the game as winners.
“Bharti Fulmali and Simran Shaikh stepped up after they lost their main middle-order hitters, particularly following the departure of Phoebe Litchfield. The dominant partner, Fulmali in particular, scored important runs. The Gujarat Giants appeared to be in trouble after she left. But I was caught off guard by Tanuja Kanwar’s unexpected shot and Simran Shaikh’s appearance. They both attempted to help the Gujarat Giants win the game. The Mumbai Indians’ camp experience ultimately made the difference today,” she said.
The former player who is now a broadcaster was taken aback by Mumbai’s on-field shortcomings.
“The Mumbai Indians didn’t make many dropped catches, which is unusual. There was a lot of action from both teams because of the commotion on the pitch, which included failed run-outs and the Gujarat Giants’ bats stealing additional runs. You wouldn’t anticipate these mistakes from a squad with as much experience as the Mumbai Indians. But for us, it was all entertainment in the end,” Mithali continued.
We are fortunate to have someone like her as our leader: Bhatia
Yastika Bhatia, Mumbai’s batsman-wicketkeeper, underlined the team’s attempt to adopt a process-driven strategy. She also made remarks on Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and praised him for maintaining composure when making calls during crucial game moments.
“We are getting so close now, and we are taking things one step at a time. We must follow the procedure even when we aren’t considering the outcome. We will win tomorrow if we play properly. Harmanpreet is an excellent captain. She makes decisions with great composure. Although she may appear rather aggressive from the outside, she is quite skilled at what she does. “Having a leader like her is a blessing for us,” Bhatia said.
If Mumbai defeats Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women on Tuesday, March 11, they would have the chance to advance straight to the final. If Mumbai wins, the Delhi Capitals Women will play Gujarat in the elimination round.
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