Gujarat Giants Triumph Over UP Warriorz by 81 Runs in WPL 2025

Lucknow, March 3 (NationPress) The Gujarat Giants achieved a commanding victory by 81 runs against the UP Warriorz, marking them as only the second team this season to defend a total successfully in Match 15 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, held at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Powered by Beth Mooney's unbeaten 96, the Giants set a strong target of 186/5, with their bowlers delivering a relentless performance. The UPW side faltered early in their chase, losing four wickets within the power-play as Deandra Dottin, Kashvee Gautam, and Meghna Singh struck rapidly. This left them reeling at 29/4, with no substantial momentum.

Grace Harris managed to keep hope alive momentarily, holding one end until the 10th over, while Chinelle Henry provided a brief aggressive innings. However, the mounting required rate proved too overwhelming.

Tanuja Kanwer and Priya Mishra maintained pressure during the middle overs, and the collapse continued as Uma Chetry, Gouher Sultana, and Sophie Ecclestone all fell cheaply. Ultimately, UPW was bowled out for 105, granting Gujarat a significant victory that elevated them to the top of the points table, rekindling their playoff aspirations.

The early breakthroughs established the tone for the innings, with Deandra Dottin removing Kiran Navgire for a golden duck and debutant Georgia Voll soon after, with a superb delivery that sent the stumps flying.

Kashvee Gautam kept the pressure mounting, bowling out Vrinda Dinesh (1) with a precise inswinger, leaving UPW struggling at 14/3. Despite an early LBW scare on review, Grace Harris attempted to stabilize the innings with some well-timed boundaries, but Meghna Singh soon dismissed skipper Deepti Sharma (6), caught behind by Mooney.

Shweta Sehrawat (5) and Uma Chetry (17) tried to rebuild, but the Giants’ spin attack, spearheaded by Priya Mishra and Ashleigh Gardner, kept them in check. Sehrawat’s struggle ended when she skied a catch to Phoebe Litchfield at deep midwicket. With runs hard to come by, Harris attempted to accelerate but was trapped LBW by Tanuja Kanwer for 25 off 30, leaving UPW at 69/6.

Chinelle Henry (28 in 14 balls) provided some late fireworks, hitting a few sixes and fours, but her resistance was cut short by Kanwer, as Litchfield took her third catch of the evening. With the required rate out of control and the disciplined Gujarat Giants attack in full swing, UP Warriorz appeared troubled in their chase.

Sophie Ecclestone tried to inject momentum with a powerful six over deep mid-wicket, bringing UPW’s score to 100. However, runs remained scarce as Priya Mishra completed her spell without giving away a wicket. Kashvee Gautam returned to further dampen UPW’s hopes, dismissing Uma Chetry for 17 as she failed to clear the backward point. The collapse deepened when Gouher Sultana followed suit for a golden duck, edging one to Mooney off the very next delivery.

Although Gautam missed out on a hat-trick, Tanuja Kanwer soon struck again, removing Ecclestone, who attempted a big hit but was cleaned up. As wickets continued to tumble rapidly, the Warriorz found no way back, leaving the Gujarat Giants on the verge of a resounding victory by 81 runs. For the Giants, Kashvee Gautam (3-11) and Tanuja Kanwar (3-17) were the standout performers with the ball.

Brief scores:

Gujarat Giants 186/5 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 96 not out, Harleen Deol 45; Sophie Ecclestone 2-34, Chinelle Henry 1-31) beat UP Warriorz 105 all out in 17.1 overs (Chinelle Henry 28, Grace Harris 25; Kashvee Gautam 3-11, Tanuja Kanwar 3-17) by 81 runs