GUJARAT GIANTS triumphed over UP WARRIORZ by 81 runs, marking their second consecutive win at the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 held at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium on March 3. The star of the match was undoubtedly Beth Mooney, who delivered a breathtaking performance, scoring 96 runs off just 59 balls, which included 17 boundaries.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Gujarat Giants set the bar high with an impressive total of 186 runs for the loss of five wickets. Mooney's innings not only anchored the Gujarat Giants' batting order but also featured a remarkable partnership of 101 runs for the second wicket with her teammate Harleen Deol, who contributed 45 runs from 32 deliveries.
Despite getting off to a shaky start where Dayalan Hemalatha fell early, the Giants’ batting display was bolstered by explosive contributions from Deandra Dottin, who smashed 17 runs off just 8 balls later on, helping set up the innings.
UP Warriorz’s bowlers tried to make early breakthroughs, with Sophie Ecclestone being the standout performer, taking 2 wickets for 34 runs. Even so, the batting side struggled to contain the onslaught from Gujarat's batting lineup.
Chasing 187 to win, UP Warriorz encountered catastrophic beginnings. Deandra Dottin struck twice within the first over, dismissing Kiran Navgire and Georgia Voll, both of whom went out for golden ducks. By the end of the fourth over, UP Warriorz found themselves at 25 for 4, leaving them unable to recover. Grace Harris was the only batter to show some resistance, scoring 25 runs before the bowling attack dismantled the batting lineup.
UP Warriorz eventually crumbled to just 105 runs within 17.1 overs, leading to their defeat by 81 runs.< 16 multiple contributions from Gujarat bowlers, with both Kashvee Gautam and Tanuja Kanwar claiming three wickets each, adding to the pressure on the opposing side. With this victory, Gujarat Giants climbed to the second position on the WPL points table, leveling with Mumbai Indians on points.
Talking to the press after the game, Gujarat skipper Ashleigh Gardner praised Mooney's outstanding performance: "The game was set up beautifully by Beth Mooney with the fantastic 96. There was part where she didn't get to those triple figures, but the partnership she had with Harleen really set up the game," Gardner remarked.
Gardner also acknowledged her bowlers' efforts, thanking them for executing their plans effectively. "We need to have a strong start with the ball. I mean, those types of runs are always good because you know the other team has to go hard for every ball. But still, executing our plans was key to our victory today,” she added.
On the other hand, UP Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma expressed her disappointment over the loss, citing the unfortunate back-to-back wickets at the beginning of their innings. She commented, "It was a chaseable target, and we had expectations, but we lost back-to-back wickets and couldn't chase it down. Our top 4-5 needs to take the initiative, and we're repeating past mistakes."
Mooney, who was named Player of the Match, reflected on the effective partnership she formed with Deol during the innings. "The way we started with the bat, obviously Harleen and I created good momentum. That partnership set us up beautifully for the rest of the innings," she shared.
Mooney's performance not only underlined her batting prowess but also served as a significant boost for her team's morale as they now prepare for their upcoming encounter against the Delhi Capitals. With this remarkable victory, the Gujarat Giants appear to be on the rise and are becoming strong contenders this season.