The 3rd match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) between Gujarat Giants Women and UP Warriorz Women unfolded as an exciting contest, brimming with high-quality cricket, tactical intricacies, and the kind of intensity that the WPL has quickly become known for. Both teams were eager to get their first win of the tournament, and the game lived up to all expectations with its fast-paced, thrilling action.
Gujarat GiantsPre-Match Build-Up
Both Gujarat Giants Women and UP Warriorz Women entered the match with a lot of anticipation. Gujarat Giants, led by the experienced and formidable Sneh Rana, had a mix of young and experienced players, including stars like Beth Mooney and Sophia Dunkley. The Giants were looking to build a cohesive unit, and their first match had provided glimpses of promise, even though they came up short in their opening fixture.
On the other side, UP Warriorz Women, under the leadership of the talented Alyssa Healy, were also keen to make a statement. With a blend of explosive batters like Tahlia McGrath and Deepti Sharma, as well as a strong bowling attack featuring the likes of Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Sophie Ecclestone, the Warriorz had the potential to go deep into the tournament.
Gujarat GiantsToss and Conditions
The toss was won by Gujarat Giants, and they opted to bat first, choosing to set a target on what appeared to be a balanced pitch. The surface was expected to offer some bounce, and batting first was seen as a way to put pressure on the Warriorz to chase. The weather conditions were clear, with no immediate threat of rain, and the temperature hovering around 28°C, making it a pleasant evening for cricket.
Gujarat Giants’ Innings
Gujarat Giants started their innings with openers Beth Mooney and Sophia Dunkley taking their positions. The start was slightly cautious, with both batters trying to settle into the match. Dunkley, known for her aggressive stroke play, looked to take on the bowlers early, but she struggled to time the ball initially, which allowed the UP Warriorz bowlers to apply pressure.
The first breakthrough for UP Warriorz came in the 5th over, when UP’s spinners struck gold. Deepti Sharma, a crucial player for the Warriorz, took the wicket of Dunkley, who was caught out in the deep while attempting to clear the boundary. This dismissal brought Gujarat’s captain Sneh Rana to the crease, and she immediately looked to steady the innings with Mooney, who had looked composed at the other end.
Mooney continued her steady approach, crafting well-timed shots to find gaps, while Rana’s leadership shone through as she played the anchor role. The duo managed to build a partnership, taking Gujarat to a total of 60 in the first 10 overs, with only one wicket lost. The batters took calculated risks, not allowing the Warriorz bowlers to settle into a rhythm, but at the same time respecting the ball that was doing just enough off the surface.
The 11th over proved to be a turning point when UP Warriorz brought on their premier spinner, Sophie Ecclestone. Ecclestone, known for her accuracy and variation, struck in her very first over, dismissing Mooney with a ball that gripped and turned, finding the outside edge of Mooney’s bat and being caught behind. That wicket brought the hard-hitting Harleen Deol to the crease, and Gujarat Giants knew that they needed quick runs to set a competitive total.
With Harleen at the crease, the tempo of Gujarat’s innings began to rise. Rana and Deol mixed intelligent running with well-placed boundaries, pushing Gujarat’s score to 110 for 3 in the 15th over. However, the Warriorz bowlers, led by Ecclestone and Sharma, kept the pressure on, limiting Gujarat’s ability to break free for the big over. As Gujarat looked to accelerate, they lost another key wicket: Rana was caught trying to loft the ball over the infield, leaving Gujarat at 120 for 4 with just 5 overs remaining.
In the final overs, Gujarat Giants’ lower order, including all-rounders like Dayalan Hemalatha, tried to get the big hits in, but the Warriorz’ discipline in the field and smart variations in the bowling kept Gujarat from getting a big finish. Gujarat ended their innings with a total of 145 for 6 after 20 overs—a total that, while competitive, left them feeling slightly short of what they might have hoped for on a good batting track.
UP Warriorz’ Innings
Chasing 146, UP Warriorz Women needed a steady start, and the onus was on the explosive opener Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath to set the tone. Gujarat’s bowlers, however, had a clear game plan to restrict the scoring early on, with the new ball offering some assistance to the seamers. McGrath was the first to depart, caught at deep mid-wicket trying to pull a short ball from Shabnim Ismail. The dismissal brought Deepti Sharma to the crease, and she quickly formed a solid partnership with Healy.
Healy, known for her aggressive approach, seemed to be in a hurry, playing some gorgeous shots to find boundaries and keep the scoreboard ticking. The combination of Healy’s flair and Sharma’s calmness made for an intriguing contest. By the 10-over mark, UP Warriorz were 75 for 1, with Healy looking dangerous at 45* and Sharma providing solid support at 25*.
The next phase of the match witnessed Gujarat’s bowlers looking to tighten the screws. They introduced spin in the middle overs, with Sneh Rana and Harleen Deol trying to break the partnership. The turning point came in the 14th over when Rana bowled a beautiful delivery that pitched on the middle and leg stump, spinning sharply to hit the top of Sharma’s stumps. The wicket of Sharma brought a sense of optimism for the Gujarat side, but with Healy still at the crease, the match was far from over.
The arrival of Tahlia McGrath at the crease added to the firepower of UP Warriorz, and the pair started to rebuild the innings with some solid strokes. With the required rate climbing, Gujarat needed a breakthrough. It came in the 17th over when Healy, trying to accelerate, was dismissed by a fantastic slower ball from Dayalan Hemalatha, which caught the edge of her bat, and the ball was taken comfortably by the keeper.
Now with 35 needed off 18 balls, UP Warriorz had their backs to the wall. The lower order needed to perform under pressure. The Gujarat bowlers, particularly Hemalatha and Ismail, kept their lines tight, with Hemalatha dismissing McGrath for a well-made 30 in the 18th over.
With 20 runs needed off the final 6 balls, the match was on a knife’s edge. UP Warriorz, however, couldn’t muster the big hits required in the final moments. Gujarat’s bowlers held their nerves and managed to seal the win with just 7 runs to spare.
Conclusion: Gujarat Giants’ Hard-Fought Victory
Gujarat Giants emerged victorious by 7 runs in a thrilling encounter that saw both teams fight valiantly. Gujarat’s ability to post a challenging total and their discipline with the ball in the final overs were the key to their victory. UP Warriorz will regret their middle-order collapse and the inability to finish the chase, but Gujarat’s bowlers were exceptional in holding their nerves under pressure.
It was a hard-fought win for Gujarat Giants, but one that should provide them with the momentum they need going forward in the competition. The match showed the unpredictability of the Women’s Premier League, with both teams giving it their all in a contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
