In their second game of the tournament, Gujarat Giants clinched a dominant and comprehensive six-wicket victory against UP Warriorz. They put up a well-rounded performance, with the bat and the ball and chased down a target of 144 with two overs to spare. GG will take confidence and momentum heading deeper into the WPL season.
After choosing to bowl first, GG displayed disciplined bowling, restricting UP to 143/9. Despite a ninth-wicket partnership of 26 between Alana Kings and Saima Thakor, UP failed to put up a competitive total. Priya Mishra was the standout performer with the ball, taking 3/25, while Deandra Dottin and Ashleigh Gardner scalped two wickets each.
Gujarat’s Chase: Gardner’s Brilliance Sets the Tone
Chasing a low total, GG did well to recover after losing two wickets in the first two overs. Laura Wolvaardt and Gardener steadied the ship with a partnership of 55 off 42 deliveries. Gardner took charge and played a match-defining knock to put GG in the driver’s seat. She scored 52 runs off 32 deliveries that set the tone for the run chase.
Gardner was key in maintaining the pressure on UP bowlers and even after her dismissal, Dottin swooped in with her aggressive stroke–play, scoring 33 off 18 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Their well-paced knocks ensured GG never felt the pressure.
A Much-Needed Win for Gujarat
This victory can prove to be a game changer for GG, who have struggled in the WPL in the past. Their bowlers executed plans to perfection, and the batters backed it up with a confident chase. Gardner’s all-round brilliance and Mishra’s impact with the ball stood out as key factors.
Looking back on the first innings, it was Kiran Navgire who did her best to give a flying start to UP with a quick 15 off eight balls but lost her wicket soon. Vrinda Dinesh fell soon, leaving the Warriorz at 41/2 at the end of the powerplay.
Deepti and Uma Chetry steadied the innings, adding 51 runs before a mini-collapse saw Priya Mishra remove Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris in the same over. Deepti fought on with a solid 39, but her dismissal slowed down the scoring.