It is the Eliminator time in the Women’s Premier League 2025 and we have got some game in our hand. Mumbai Indians-Women have always been a favorite of mine, and I’ll explain later on in this article. Interestingly, all three teams competing in the eliminator and the final are coming off recent defeats, giving them plenty to reflect on.

Notably, both matches at the CCI have been won by the team batting first—a shift from the usual trend of teams winning the toss and opting to chase. That’s another factor for both sides to consider as they prepare for the challenge ahead.

Starting with Gujarat Giants, this has been their best season yet. Ashleigh Gardner has done a fantastic job at the helm, especially with the bat, providing strong leadership.

However, their biggest challenge remains finding a stable opening partner for Beth Mooney, who has been outstanding. Laura Wolvaardt was given a chance but couldn’t quite make it work and was eventually moved on.

Phoebe Litchfield was brought in as a replacement but is currently batting down the order. Personally, I’d have her open. Gujarat has experimented with several combinations, but Litchfield is a rising star in the game, already making significant strides. Giving her a chance at the top, where she’s batted before, could provide stability and allow the middle order more flexibility. 

Harleen Deol has been outstanding and is making a strong case for a higher batting position in the Indian lineup. She has been excellent and made a strong impact this season of WPL. One cannot overlook is the importance of Deol for Gujarat. It’s easy to focus on overseas stars, as we often do, but Deol’s contributions have been invaluable. She has had an outstanding WPL, and this could be the perfect opportunity for her to take her game to the next level.

Gardner and Deandra Dottin bring experience, while Litchfield has been batting at five or six. If it were up to me, I’d push Litchfield up the order to maximize her potential.

Bharti Fulmali could step in at number six, allowing for a better balance in the lineup. On the bowling front, Kashvee Gautam has been solid, while Priya Mishra, with her youthful energy, is a player to watch as she continues to develop. With Dottin and Gardner also in the mix, Gujarat has their bowling unit well covered.

Tanuja Kanwar, the left-arm spinner, deserves recognition for her contributions, even though she often goes under the radar. She’s a smart, consistent bowler who has been quietly doing an excellent job for the team.

Overall, the team has performed significantly better than last season and will back themselves to make a strong push.

Meanwhile, Mumbai has relied heavily on their overseas players, with 80% of their bowling workload handled by them. While this strategy can be effective, it also comes with its own set of challenges. It’s a bit of a concern, as 16 of the 20 overs are often bowled by overseas players like Shabnim Ismail, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, and Hayley Matthews. While teams can only work with the resources they have, it would be great to see more Indian players getting opportunities to bowl in crucial moments, especially early in the innings.

On the batting front, Yastika Bhatia hasn’t quite found her form and has now dropped to number six. As a result, it’s largely been the Nat Sciver-Brunt show for Mumbai.

With over 400 runs in the tournament this year, she has been simply outstanding, looking effortlessly comfortable at the crease. Widely regarded as one of the best—if not the best—all-rounders in the world right now, her individual contributions have once again been crucial for Mumbai.

After tasting glory in the inaugural season, Mumbai fell short in the eliminator last year. This time, they’ll be determined to go all the way. For Mumbai, the key concern is what happens if Nat Sciver-Brunt falls early—that will be Gujarat’s biggest opportunity. Can they break through Mumbai’s top order and put them under pressure?

Matthews and Harmanpreet have both chipped in with half-centuries, but beyond them, the batting has been inconsistent. Amelia Kerr has struggled with the bat, and if Gujarat can remove Sciver-Brunt early, they could create real anxiety in Mumbai’s lineup.

Meanwhile, Delhi isn’t part of this game as they’ve already secured their place in the final. The question is whether skipping the eliminator is an advantage or a disadvantage. On one hand, going straight to the final gives them extra rest and preparation time, but on the other, they miss out on valuable match momentum.