Vadodara, Jan 22 (NationPress) Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad expressed her joy at making a significant contribution in her comeback with the Gujarat Giants, being awarded Player of the Match in their 45-run victory over UP Warriorz in the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) held at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara on Thursday.

This win propelled GG from the bottom to second place in the points standings. “It feels really good. After a long wait, I got the opportunity to play and performed well, which makes me very happy. I had been looking forward to this spell for quite some time, and it feels fantastic. I bowled to my strengths today,” she stated.

“Having the backing of your support staff really boosts your confidence, and that was pivotal for me today. They provided immense support, which turned out to be my greatest asset. The conditions were favorable, and I adjusted my bowling accordingly, leading to my success,” Rajeshwari commented after the match.

The left-arm spinner, who took three wickets, highlighted her satisfaction in dismissing Deepti Sharma. “When strategizing, I always aim to take down a key batter, as dismissing top players brings a unique joy. I aimed for that wicket but it was taken by Kashvee. However, I did manage to get Deepti's wicket. I enjoy bowling to left-handers, and I'm thrilled with that achievement. I focused on honing my skills and working on my strengths, which has been rewarding,” she added.

Veteran New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine, who contributed with both bat and ball, mentioned that Gujarat always aims for a score above 150. “It was an engaging match. I believed that surpassing the 150 mark would keep us competitive. We were aware of the threats posed by the UP batting order, and once we took out a couple of their key players, it was about maintaining composure to secure the win,” she explained.

On her batting position, Sophie remarked, “I can't recall precisely, but it’s a testament to our team’s flexibility under the guidance of Maxi and Marshy. We've got the capability to adjust roles as needed.”

She commended Rajeshwari's bowling, saying, “I think it's beyond my expertise to critique that, but Gayakwad's performance today was exceptional. Her ability to vary flight and pace effectively confused the batters on a challenging wicket.”

GG displayed a significantly improved fielding effort, which Sophie attributed to a team meeting prior to Thursday’s match. “In our initial games, our fielding was commendable, but we were disappointed with our recent performances. So, there was a collective decision to enhance our focus, led by Maxi in our team meeting. This resulted in a great team effort today,” she said.

Regarding Beth Mooney's wicketkeeping, Sophie humorously added, “I was going to say that using your hands is overrated! She's so good now that she just kicks the ball. However, having someone of her caliber behind the stumps makes a huge difference, as she managed to handle my less-than-perfect throws effectively.”