Image Source : BCCI/WPL
Defending Champions Mumbai Indians take on unbeaten Gujarat Giants in Match 6 of TATA WPL 2026. Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner and Kate Cross, & Mithali Raj discussed the need for multiple game plans against elite line-ups and tactical questions around opening combinations.
Speaking on Match Centre Live, Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner outlined the need for multiple, flexible plans to counter the star-studded Mumbai Indians:
"When you play a team like Mumbai Indians, two-time WPL winners with the world's best players, you need two or three plans to stop them. Having just one plan often doesn't work. So against players like that, you need multiple options to turn to. A big part of the game is trying to stay one step ahead of the batter. I put my batting hat on when I bowl, making sure I'm clear on what the next ball should be or how to set up an over."
Speaking on Match Centre Live, JioStar expert Kate Cross previewed the clash between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants:
"The overseas players for both teams have done really well and have fired on all fronts. For Gujarat Giants, the way Sophie Devine stepped up against UP Warriorz, hitting the ball all over the ground and bowling that amazing final over. She was absolutely great. Similarly, for Mumbai Indians, we saw Nat Sciver-Brunt play a fabulous innings. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has also stood up and she loves this tournament. The one slight question for me is Amelia Kerr opening the innings for Mumbai. That feels like a tiny weak spot. Hopefully, if Hayley Matthews is fit, she can slot back in at the top to fix that."
Speaking on Match Centre Live, JioStar expert Mithali Raj backed Harmanpreet Kaur to carry her confidence into the match against Gujarat Giants:
"When you get runs against a familiar side and are comfortable with certain bowlers, it builds confidence. Harmanpreet Kaur's knock for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Capitals will give her that. She will want to carry that form into tonight's match against Gujarat Giants and will be very confident. This time, Gujarat Giants have two left-arm spinners, so there is a small change in their spin attack. That is something she will be aware of. But if Harmanpreet starts well, there is no bowler who can stop her."
On the strength of the Gujarat Giants batting, highlighting the proven impact of players like Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney:
"When Gujarat Giants picked Sophie Devine in the mega auction, we all know why. In the first WPL season, she scored 99 against them and took the game away. Everyone knows the kind of impact she can have. On the other side, you have a left-hander in Beth Mooney, who keeps the strike rate up while anchoring the innings. So Gujarat Giants have a very good batting order. Ashleigh Gardner has been good since last season. They also have lower-order batters like Kashvee Gautam who can contribute, and Georgia Wareham, who we know did very well for RCB in the past."
