Gujarat Giants secured an emphatic victory over UP Warriors by 81 runs during the 15th match of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025, played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The Giants posted 186 runs with the help of Beth Mooney's stunning 96-run innings, and then bundled out the Warriors for 105 runs, marking one of the most significant wins in WPL history.
After winning the toss, UP Warriors opted to field first, hoping to exploit the early conditions. The decision seemed prudent initially, as Gujarat suffered an early setback when Dayaalan Hemalatha was dismissed for just two runs on the second ball of the innings by Chinelle Henry. This brought Beth Mooney to the crease, where she formed a formidable partnership with Harleen Deol.
Mooney's innings was nothing short of spectacular. She scored 96 runs off just 59 balls, hitting 17 boundaries. Harleen Deol contributed significantly with 45 runs off 32 deliveries, forming a 101-run partnership with Mooney. The two batters steadied the innings after the initial blow, guiding Gujarat to a competitive total. Despite losing wickets at the other end—Captain Ashley Gardner went for 11, and Deandra Dottin scored 17—Mooney stood firm.
Mooney's knack for finding gaps was evident as she maneuvered deftly around the crease and punished any loose deliveries. An unfortunate turn of events led her to miss out on what would have been her first WPL century by just four runs. "I was just focused on playing my game and helping the team reach a solid total," stated Mooney after the match.
UP Warriors’ bowling attack saw contributions from every bowler, with Sophie Ecclestone leading the charge with two wickets for 34 runs. Chinelle Henry, Captain Deepti Sharma, and Kranti Gaut each claimed one wicket, but none could contain the onslaught unleashed by Mooney and Deol.
Chasing 187 runs proved too tall of an order for the UP Warriors, as they fell apart under pressure. The innings began disastrously with Kiren Navgire and Georgia Wools both getting out without scoring as they faced the fiery spell from Dottin, who opened the bowling and took two wickets within the first over.
With the Warriors at 36 runs, they lost five wickets, resulting in panic among the batsmen. Captain Deepti Sharma added just six runs before departing, and none of the other top-order batsmen could make significant contributions. Grace Harris was the top scorer for UP with 25 runs, including three boundaries. Shinnel Henry also chipped in with 28 runs, but their efforts were merely cosmetic as the team crumbled to 105 all out within just 17.1 overs.
Gujarat's bowling was headlined by Kashvi Gautam and Tanuja Kanwar, both taking three wickets each, and Dottin, who captured two. Their combined efforts effectively dismantled the UP batting lineup, demonstrating Gujarat's prowess both with bat and ball.
After this victory, Gujarat Giants climbed to second place on the points table, leaving UP Warriors languishing at the bottom. The match highlighted the significant gap between the two teams, especially as Gujarat's batting depth and tactical bowling delivered results.
"It's always tough when you lose early wickets. We need to regroup and focus on the next match," said Deepti Sharma post-match, hinting at the challenges her team faces to bounce back from this defeat.
The match not only showcased individual brilliance but also cemented Gujarat’s standing as strong contenders throughout the tournament. Fans can expect more enthralling performances as the season progresses, and many will be eager to see if Mooney can finally get her century next time around. This win against UP Warriors is surely set to boost the morale of the Gujarat Giants as they aim for the top of the WPL standings.