GG vs UPW, WPL 2025 Highlights: All-round Gujarat Giants Beat UP Warriorz by Six Wickets.
The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 continues to provide exhilarating cricketing action, and the latest fixture between Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz was no exception.Gujarat Giants, led by Ashleigh Gardner, secured a commanding six-wicket victory over the UP Warriorz, marking their first win of the season. The game showcased an outstanding all-round performance by Gujarat, with contributions from both their batting and bowling units.
Toss and Team News
Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner won the toss and opted to field first, citing the impact of dew and the difficulty of defending scores on this ground. "We'll have a bowl tonight. The dew plays a role, but I also think it is a tough ground to defend on. We need to take wickets early," Gardner said at the toss.
UP Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma mentioned that she would have also preferred to bowl first. She expressed confidence in her team’s preparation, saying, "We have had good practice sessions and match simulations, and we are looking forward to playing today." UP Warriorz included Alana King and Kranti Goud in their playing XI, with Alana making her WPL debut.
Playing XIs
Gujarat Giants Women:
Beth Mooney (w)
Laura Wolvaardt
Dayalan Hemalatha
Ashleigh Gardner (c)
Deandra Dottin
Simran Shaikh
Harleen Deol
Tanuja Kanwar
Sayali Satghare
Priya Mishra
Kashvee Gautam
UP Warriorz Women:
Vrinda Dinesh
Grace Harris
Tahlia McGrath
Kiran Navgire
Uma Chetry (w)
Deepti Sharma (c)
Sophie Ecclestone
Alana King
Shweta Sehrawat
Saima Thakor
Kranti Goud
First Innings: UP Warriorz Struggle to Build Momentum
Batting first, UP Warriorz managed to put up a total of 143 runs on a surface that had enough assistance for both batters and bowlers. However, Gujarat Giants’ disciplined bowling effort kept the opposition in check throughout the innings.
Grace Harris was the standout performer for UP, scoring a quick-fire 45 off 32 balls. However, the middle order failed to capitalise, with Tahlia McGrath and Kiran Navgire falling cheaply. Captain Deepti Sharma contributed a vital 32 runs but struggled to accelerate towards the end of the innings. Gujarat’s bowling attack, led by young spinner Priya Mishra, proved too difficult for UP to handle.
Priya Mishra was exceptional with the ball, picking up three wickets for just 22 runs in her four-over spell. She received great support from Tanuja Kanwar and Ashleigh Gardner, who also chipped in with crucial wickets to restrict UP Warriorz to a below-par total.
Second Innings: Gujarat Giants Chase with Composure
Chasing 144, Gujarat Giants got off to a steady start with Beth Mooney and Laura Wolvaardt adding 45 runs for the first wicket. Mooney looked in good touch but was dismissed for 26 by Sophie Ecclestone.
Ashleigh Gardner then took charge, playing a match-defining knock. Her fearless strokeplay saw her bring up a well-paced half-century, ensuring Gujarat remained in control of the chase. Gardner’s aggressive approach put UP Warriorz on the back foot, and even after her dismissal, Gujarat never lost grip on the match.
Harleen Deol (34 off 30) and Deandra Dottin (33 off 18) finished the job with confident strokeplay in the latter stages, ensuring there were no late jitters. With two overs to spare, Gujarat Giants secured a well-deserved six-wicket victory.
Post-Match Reactions
Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants Captain & Player of the Match):
Gardner expressed her delight at the team’s performance. "We played a brand of cricket that we have been working towards. This was a near-perfect game, but there is still room for improvement. Priya Mishra’s three-wicket haul at such a young age gives the whole group a lot of confidence. I try to bowl tight lines and lengths, and today was about execution. Having experienced players like Beth Mooney and Laura Wolvaardt makes a huge difference under pressure."
Deepti Sharma (UP Warriorz Captain):
Sharma admitted that her team was 20-30 runs short of a par total. "If we had built one or two bigger partnerships, we could have reached 170. Our strength is spin bowling, and despite the dew, Sophie and I bowled well. We need to improve our batting and execute our plans better in the next match."
Deandra Dottin (Gujarat Giants All-rounder):
Dottin highlighted the importance of execution in the chase. "We knew 144 was chaseable, and the focus was on not letting the game go too deep. Ashleigh led from the front, and we executed our plans perfectly. It was a team effort, and I’m happy with the way we performed."
Key Takeaways from the Match
1. Priya Mishra’s Breakthrough Performance
Young Priya Mishra stole the show with her impressive three-wicket haul. Her ability to bowl tight lines and pick crucial wickets at important junctures made a huge difference for Gujarat.
2. Ashleigh Gardner’s All-Round Brilliance
Gardner once again proved her worth as a true all-rounder. Her aggressive batting and disciplined bowling were instrumental in Gujarat’s victory.
3. UP Warriorz’s Batting Struggles
Despite some promising starts, UP Warriorz struggled to form big partnerships. Their middle-order woes continued, and they will need to address this going forward in the tournament.
4. Gujarat Giants’ Dominant Bowling Performance
The Gujarat Giants bowlers executed their plans to perfection, restricting UP Warriorz to a below-par total. The spin duo of Priya Mishra and Tanuja Kanwar played a significant role in their team’s success.
5. Clinical Chase by Gujarat Giants
A composed chase by Gujarat showcased their batting depth. The likes of Mooney, Gardner, Deol, and Dottin ensured the team never looked in trouble during the chase.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Gujarat Giants have gained crucial momentum in the tournament. They will look to carry this winning form into their upcoming matches. On the other hand, UP Warriorz need to rethink their batting strategy and ensure their middle order steps up in the next game.
The WPL action now shifts to the next big game between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Cricket fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters as the tournament progresses.
Final Score:
UP Warriorz: 143/7 (20 overs)
Gujarat Giants: 144/4 (18 overs)
Gujarat Giants won by 6 wickets
Stay tuned for more WPL 2025 coverage and updates!
Comments
Post a Comment