The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 is off to a thrilling start, showcasing exciting matches and record-breaking performances, particularly highlighting the renewed partnership between Gujarat Giants (GG) and JSW Paints, alongside remarkable individual feats from players like Ellyse Perry and Grace Harris.
Gujarat Giants, one of the key franchises of the burgeoning women's cricket league, recently announced the renewal of its partnership with JSW Paints. This extension builds upon their successful collaboration from previous seasons, reinforcing their mutual commitment to elevatng women's cricket. JSW Paints continues as the associate partner for the Gujarat Giants, marking their unwavering dedication to empowering female athletes and fostering the growth of women's sports. The JSW Paints logo will be prominently displayed on the helmets of all players throughout the WPL 2025 season, enhancing brand visibility during live matches, promotional events, and broadcast highlights.
According to TNN, this strategic alliance exemplifies JSW Paints’ broader commitment to sports development and gender equality, aiming to inspire young female athletes across India to pursue their sporting aspirations. The 2025 season of the WPL not only aims to deliver thrilling competition but is also poised to amplify the league’s appeal, thereby enhancing the recognition and support for women’s cricket.
Competing alongside this partnership are the impressive performances of the players. Ellyse Perry, playing for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), created history during the match against UP Warriorz, becoming the league's all-time leading run-scorer. Her half-century against UP Warriorz allowed her to surpass Meg Lanning’s previous record, cementing her position as the standout player of the season. Notably, Perry’s achievement marks her as the first player to cross the 800-run milestone, showcasing her consistent performance thrills. She now holds the record for most runs scored, with 800 runs from 21 innings.
Perry, who previously won the Orange Cap for the top scorer and had made remarkable contributions to RCB's championship run last season, is again showing her prowess on the field. Her performance includes significant partnerships, with top scores this season and her standout inning against UPW where she scored 90 out of 57 balls. Alongside Perry, Danielle Wyatt has also made important contributions as RCB looks for recovery after suffering its first defeat against the Mumbai Indians earlier this season.
Meanwhile, the match between Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz produced riveting action highlighted by Grace Harris’s astounding performance. Harris stunned fans by taking a hat-trick within the last over of the game, leading UPW to victory by 53 runs. Initially, the Capitals looked to chase down their target but with wickets cascading, it seemed they would falter. The game took on unexpected drama as Jemimah Rodrigues managed to score 56 runs, hinting at potential revival for DC, but Harris's hat-trick shifted the momentum, culminating the game with unforgettable chaos.
This hat-trick marked the third occurrence of such accomplishment within the WPL, following others accomplished by bowlers Issy Wong and Deepti Sharma. Hustling through the game, UPW displayed resilience, even as they dropped five catches, but Harris secured victory with skill and sharp fielding, emphasizing UPW's overall strategic execution.
The 2025 season so far has been dynamic, with the Gujarat Giants positioned fifth after three matches, securing one win and suffering two defeats. Their next challenge is against Delhi Capitals on February 25, where they seek to showcase their determination and competitive spirit as they aim for playoff entry.
Reflecting upon the collaborative efforts showcased by franchises and players alike, the WPL continues to grow, both as competitive sports and as vehicles for social change. Ending this section of the WPL, both partnerships and on-field actions serve as powerful symbols of support for women’s participation and recognition in cricket. The increasing popularity of women’s cricket, celebrated through partnerships like JSW Paints with Gujarat Giants as well as the pivotal performances of stars like Ellyse Perry and Grace Harris, are signs of an inspiring future for women's sports.