In an electrifying clash at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, the Gujarat Giants secured their first win of the WPL 2025 season against the UP Warriorz, clinching a six-wicket victory. After opting to field first, Gujarat's bowlers showcased their prowess, particularly the young Priya Mishra with her impressive figures of 3 for 25, restricting UP to a modest 143 for 9 in their 20 overs.
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| Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
UP Warriorz, in their season opener, saw a mixed bag of performances. Deepti Sharma led from the front with a captain's knock of 39 off 27 balls, but the team struggled to build significant partnerships, with Alana King chipping in with a brisk 19 not out. Gujarat's bowling attack, including the likes of Ashleigh Gardner, who picked up 2 for 39, ensured that UP never really got away.
Chasing the target, Gujarat Giants had a shaky start but were steadied by a match-winning performance from their skipper, Ashleigh Gardner, who scored a stylish 52 off 32 balls, her second consecutive fifty in the tournament. Supported by Deandra Dottin's aggressive 33* off 18, Gujarat managed to chase down the total with two overs to spare, showcasing their batting depth and intent.
This victory was significant for Gujarat, not just for the points but for the morale and momentum it brought after their opening game loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. For UP Warriorz, the defeat serves as a reminder of the stiff competition in the WPL, highlighting areas for improvement, particularly in their batting strategy, as they look to bounce back in their upcoming matches.
Brief Scores: Gujarat Giants - 144/4 in 20 overs (Ashleigh Gardener - 52, Sophie Ecclestone - 2/16) defeated UP Warriorz - 143/9 in 20 overs (Deepti Sharma - 39, Priya Mishra - 3/25) by a margin of 6 wickets with 2 overs to spare
