Gujarat Giants made a significant impact on the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 by defeating UP Warriorz by 81 runs on March 3 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. This victory not only serves as the second-largest win by runs in the tournament's history but also significantly boosts Gujarat’s position on the points table.
The Giants posted an impressive total of 186 runs, thanks to the exceptional batting performance by Beth Mooney, who scored 96 runs not out from just 59 balls, smashing 17 boundaries along the way. Mooney was on the brink of becoming the first player to score a century this season but fell short by just four runs.
UP Warriorz, batting second, struggled to meet the challenging target and were all out for 105 runs in just 17.1 overs. Their innings was marked by poor performance, with their batting lineup failing to stabilize. Only Chinelle Henry managed to put up some resistance, scoring 28 runs, followed by Grace Harris, who contributed 25 runs. Unfortunately for UP, four of their players did not get off the mark, reflecting their batting struggles throughout the match.
Earlier, the UP Warriorz won the toss and opted to bowl first, which initially seemed like the right decision when they got the first breakthrough early on. Chinelle Henry dismissed Hemalatha for just 2 runs on the third ball of the match. Yet, this early success was not enough to deter the Gujarat Giants as Mooney and Harleen Deol steadied their innings through a remarkable partnership. Together, they added 101 runs for the second wicket off 68 balls, contributing significantly to their team's total.
Mooney's performance was supported well by Deol, who made 45 runs before falling to Sophie Ecclestone. Deol's effort was commendable, as she kept the runs flowing during her time at the crease, hitting six boundaries. The duo’s efforts laid the groundwork for Gujarat's formidable total, providing them the leverage they needed to put pressure on UP.
For the Warriorz, the bowling performances of Henry and Sophie Ecclestone stood out. Ecclestone managed to take 2 wickets for 34 runs, showcasing her ability to contain runs, particularly at pivotal moments of the game. Despite their efforts, the rest of the bowling attack was unable to make substantial impacts as Gujarat's batters found ways to score, especially during the middle overs.
Gujarat was not only proficient with their batting but also showcased phenomenal discipline with their bowling. Kashvi Gautam and Tanuja Kanwar both claimed three wickets, each decimatively chipping away at the UP order. Their relentless bowling spelled doom for the UP batting lineup as they crumbled under pressure. By the time UP reached 36 runs, they were already down to five wickets.
UP’s inability to post competitive scores poses significant challenges for their standings moving forward in WPL 2025. After their back-to-back victories, this defeat places them at risk of falling behind other teams as they navigate the remaining fixtures of the tournament.
Looking forward, both teams need to reassess their strategies. The victory has propelled Gujarat to second place on the points table, improving their standings dramatically after having faced challenges earlier this season. Meanwhile, for UP, this performance raises questions about their batting strategy and hopes for the playoffs.
This match serves as yet another reminder of the competitive nature of women’s cricket, where individual performances can play pivotal roles, highlighting the talents of players and the unpredictable nature of the sport. Both teams will be eager to adjust their strategies and potentially bring different outcomes as the tournament progresses.