Gujarat Giants Triumph Over UP Warriorz with Dominant 81-Run Victory
Gujarat Giants put on a commanding display against UP Warriorz, winning by 81 runs in their latest Women's Premier League encounter at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. The match took place on March 3, 2025, and left the Giants firmly positioned second on the points table.
The Giants, captained by Ashleigh Gardner, set the tone of the match with their impressive batting performance, scoring 186 runs for the loss of five wickets. Star player Beth Mooney proved instrumental, delivering an outstanding innings of 96 runs off just 59 balls. This innings included 17 boundaries, showcasing her remarkable talent at the crease.
The batting partnership between Mooney and Harleen Deol, who scored 45 runs off 32 deliveries, was pivotal. Together, they built a solid partnership of 101 runs, reviving the Giants after the early loss of opener Dayalan Hemalatha, who fell victim to the UP's bowling attack early on.
Despite the early setback, Mooney's persistence and aggression kept the scoreboard ticking, and she remained unbeaten as the innings drew to a close. Her performance not only earned her the Player of the Match title but also added to the Giants' considerable total.
Defending their total, Gujarat's bowlers were on point, unleashing their fury on the UP Warriorz batsmen. Kashvee Gautam and Tanuja Kanwar each claimed three wickets, dismantling the UP batting order swiftly. The Warriorz crumbled under the pressure, managing only 105 runs before being bowled out in just 17.1 overs.
Gautam’s bowling figures were particularly impressive, taking 3 wickets for just 11 runs from her three overs. Kanwar supported her well with 3 wickets for 14 runs, effectively forcing the Warriorz' batsmen to succumb to the relentless pressure.
The UP Warriorz, captained by Deepti Sharma, made two changes to their playing XI, bringing Gouher Sultana and Georgia Voll to replace Tahlia McGrath and Saima Thakor. Sharma won the toss and elected to field first but couldn’t avert the disaster her team faced. Grace Harris was the only standout performance with the bat for the Warriorz, scoring 25 runs before falling victim to the Giants' oppressive bowling performance.
The match not only highlighted Gujarat Giants' strategic planning and synergy among players but also provided insights on the gaps within UP Warriorz's strategy. Following their win, the Giants improved their standing from the bottom of the table to the second position—a remarkable turnaround.
Reflecting on the match, captain Gardner expressed her pride, saying, "We executed our plans well and took early wickets, which set the tone for the game. Beth's innings was invaluable, and our bowlers did what was required."
Meanwhile, Deepti Sharma acknowledged her team’s shortcomings, stating, "We need to regroup and reassess our strategies moving forward. Today was not our best performance, and we need to learn from it." Her words echoed the sentiments of many fans hoping for the UP Warriorz to bounce back soon.
This victory not only boosts the Giants' morale but also establishes them as serious contenders for the Women's Premier League championship this season, eager to capitalize on their newfound success as they push several key players to the forefront.
The Women's Premier League (WPL) continues to showcase thrilling competitive spirit, and as teams head toward the final stages of the tournament, every match matters even more. Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how both the Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz adapt after this pivotal encounter.
With significant matches on the horizon, both teams will need to refine their performances as the league progresses. The Giants look to maintain their momentum, and the Warriorz must bounce back from this setback to keep their campaign alive.