WPL 2025: Deepti Calls for Batters to Rise After 81-Run Setback

Synopsis

Following an 81-run defeat to the Gujarat Giants in WPL 2025, Deepti Sharma emphasized the need for UP Warriorz batters to improve. Chasing 187, UPW faltered early, losing key wickets and finishing at 105. Deepti urged her team to learn from mistakes and step up in upcoming matches.

Key Takeaways

Deepti Sharma calls for batters to improve.
UP Warriorz lost crucial wickets early in the match.
Beth Mooney was instrumental in Gujarat's victory.
Middle order performance needs enhancement.
Gujarat Giants secured second place in the points table.

Lucknow, March 3 (NationPress) UP Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma was candid in her assessment following her team's significant 81-run defeat to the Gujarat Giants during the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 on Monday. While chasing a challenging target of 187, UPW struggled from the start, losing four wickets in the power-play and ultimately ending their innings at 105 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.

“The target was within reach, and the outfield was in good condition. Losing wickets consecutively hindered our chase. Our top 4-5 need to take charge, and we repeated the errors from our previous match. I hope we can avoid this in future games,” stated Deepti post-match.

“The pitch appeared favorable during the first innings, and we aimed to establish partnerships. We believed we could successfully chase it if one batter could last through. Our middle order must enhance its performance—we can't solely depend on our bowlers. Our batters, including myself, need to elevate our game,” she continued.

Beth Mooney played a pivotal role in Gujarat's convincing victory, scoring an unbeaten 96 to lead her team to 186/5. The target proved too daunting for UP Warriorz, who saw Kiran Navgire and debutant Georgia Voll dismissed for ducks within the first two overs. Kashvee Gautam and Meghna Singh maintained the pressure, leaving UPW reeling at 29/4 during the power-play.

Only Grace Harris showed some resistance, scoring 25 off 30 balls, but her dismissal midway through the innings made the task significantly tougher for UPW. Chinelle Henry (28 off 14) offered a brief spark with a series of boundaries, but the required run rate was already beyond reach.

“The pitch looked promising in the first innings, and we wanted to forge partnerships. We believed we could chase it down if one player could stay at the crease. Our middle order has to improve—we can't keep relying on our bowlers. Our batters must rise to the occasion, including me,” she reiterated.

Tanuja Kanwar (3-17) and Kashvee Gautam (3-11) ensured there were no dramatic comebacks, dismantling the lower order as UPW faltered under pressure. With this commanding victory, the Gujarat Giants climbed to second place on the points table, keeping their playoff ambitions alive in impressive fashion.