Women’s Premier League 2025: Gujarat Giants vs. UP Warriorz

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10:56 pm
February 16, 2025

In an exciting start to the third day of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, the Gujarat Giants squared off against the UP Warriorz at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. This match, part of the league’s ongoing quest to cement its status as a premier cricketing event, promised high-quality cricket with both teams eager to make their mark in the championship.

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Match Overview:

The Gujarat Giants, captained by Ashleigh Gardner, came into this match after a tough loss against the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), looking to rebound with a strong performance. On the other hand, the UP Warriorz, led by Deepti Sharma, were yet to play their first match in this season, bringing fresh energy and a hunger for victory.

Toss and Team Selections:

UP Warriorz won the toss and elected to bat first, perhaps banking on their strong batting lineup to set a formidable total on a pitch that seemed to offer something for both batsmen and bowlers. Here are the playing XIs:

UP Warriorz: Vrinda, Grace Harris, Tahlia McGrath, Kiran Navgire, Uma Chetry (wk), Deepti Sharma (c), Sophie Ecclestone, Alana King, Shweta Sehrawat, Saima Thakor, Kranti Goud.
Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Deandra Dottin, Simran Shaikh, Harleen Deol, Tanuja Kanwar, Sayali Satghare, Priya Mishra, Kashvee Gautam.

Key Moments:

Powerplay: UP Warriorz started cautiously, with Vrinda and Grace Harris focusing on building a foundation. However, the Gujarat bowlers, particularly Priya Mishra, were relentless, with Mishra taking three crucial wickets in quick succession, including the scalps of Uma Chetry, Tahlia McGrath, and Grace Harris, stymieing UP’s early momentum.
Middle Overs: Despite the early setbacks, Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone steadied the ship for UP Warriorz, with Deepti showing her class with a well-constructed innings. However, the Gujarat spinners kept things tight, not allowing the run rate to soar.
Death Overs: UP Warriorz managed to accelerate somewhat at the back end, thanks to a late flourish by Saima Thakor, pushing their total to a competitive 145/7 in their 20 overs.
Gujarat Giants’ Innings: Chasing 146, Gujarat Giants had a shaky start losing Beth Mooney early. However, Laura Wolvaardt and Dayalan Hemalatha put together a crucial partnership, taking the score past 80 before Hemalatha fell. The match remained tense, with UP’s bowlers, especially Sophie Ecclestone, making inroads, but Ashleigh Gardner’s calm presence at one end ensured Gujarat edged closer to the target.
Finish: With 12 needed off the last over, Simran Shaikh played the hero for Gujarat, hitting a boundary off the second ball to seal the match in dramatic fashion. Gujarat Giants won by 3 wickets, showcasing resilience and smart cricket.

Post-Match Reflections:

Player of the Match: Priya Mishra’s spell earned her the player of the match for her 3/22, which significantly disrupted UP Warriorz’s batting line-up.
Team Performance: Gujarat Giants bounced back well, demonstrating depth in both batting and bowling. UP Warriorz, while showing moments of brilliance, will need to regroup and tighten their game, especially in the powerplay.
Fan Reactions: The match, replete with twists and turns, had fans on the edge of their seats. Social media was abuzz with praise for the tactical acumen shown by both teams and the exciting brand of cricket on display.

As the WPL 2025 progresses, matches like these not only entertain but also elevate the stature of women’s cricket, proving once again that the league is a breeding ground for talent and thrilling cricket. The stage is set for more such encounters, as teams strive to climb the leaderboard and vie for the championship.