Delhi Capitals have already qualified for the summit clash on Sunday

PTI Mumbai

Harmanpreet Kaur's ability to unflinchingly guide Mumbai Indians in difficult situations could be the clinching factor for the former champions when they take on Gujarat Giants -- a team they have vanquished twice this season -- in the Women's Premier League Eliminator here on Thursday.    

With Delhi Capitals already sitting snugly in the final after topping the WPL table with 10 points, the focus is now on India skipper Harmanpreet and Gujarat Giants' captain Ashleigh Gardner to guide their sides into the title round.

Mumbai Indians would certainly enjoy the home advantage as the match will be played at the Brabourne Stadium and the fact that they overwhelmed Gujarat Giants in their penultimate league game here on Monday, with Harmanpreet blazing to a 33-ball 54 in the nine-run victory.

Mumbai Indians' playing XI has largely remained unchanged with Hayley Matthews giving them flourishing starts while also tormenting the opponents with her off spin. The West Indian all-rounder could once again prove to be the match-winner for her team following her sterling performances against the Gujarat side in their previous two meetings this season.

She broke the back of Gujarat Giants, returning with figures of 3/16 in Vododara last month and again tormented them in the return match at Brabourne, snaring three wickets. With Nat Sciver-Brunt doing the bulk of the scoring for MI, smashing four half-centuries and emerging as the top run-getter this season with 416 runs from eight matches, the onus would be on Gujarat Giants bowlers to tie down the England stalwart. 

Sciver-Brunt's wicket-taking ability too cannot be underestimated, given that she along with Matthews have played a pivotal role in MI's successful run this season. While Harmanpreet's form has been patchy this season, she did manage a half-century.