Gujarat Giants secured a six-wicket victory over UP Warriorz in the WPL 2025, scoring 144 for 4 after bowling out Warriorz for 143. Key performances included Ashleigh Gardner’s 52 runs and Priya Mishra’s impactful three-wicket haul. Dottin and Deol contributed 33 and 34 not out, respectively, as the Giants chased down the modest total with 12 balls remaining. Deepti Sharma led Warriorz with 39 runs, but their batting fell short despite Sophie Ecclestone’s impressive bowling figures of 2 for 16. The Giants bounced back after an opening loss, showcasing improved fielding and bowling.
Gujarat Giants 144 for 4 (Gardner 52, Deol 34*, Dottin 33*, Ecclestone 2-16) overcame UP Warriorz 143 for 9 (Deepti 39, Mishra 3-25) by six wickets
Gardner’s second fifty as captain
Gardner continued her excellent form, notching up another vital fifty that lifted the Giants from a precarious 2 for 2. Following her unbeaten 79 in the opening match against RCB, she entered the crease early in the second over after the early dismissals of Beth Mooney and D Hemalatha. She quickly found her footing, hitting consecutive boundaries off debutant fast bowling-allrounder Kranti Goud in the third over.
She particularly targeted Saima Thakor, who conceded 20 runs in her fifth over, with Gardner hitting two of her three sixes in that over—one over long-on and another over deep midwicket. Utilizing her footwork effectively, she frequently advanced down the pitch, converting full tosses into fours or sixes. Alongside Laura Wolvaardt, she forged a crucial 55-run partnership for the third wicket.
Gardner reached her fifty off just 28 balls, smacking a colossal six over deep square leg off Alana King and earlier flicking a ball to deep backward square leg for four. In total, she struck five fours and three sixes.
Dottin’s all-round display
After Tahlia McGrath took down Gardner in the 12th over, the Giants required 58 runs off 49 balls. Dottin entered the fray and quickly made her mark with a six over midwicket off King. Leveraging her powerful hitting, she capitalized on McGrath in the following over, hitting two more boundaries and alleviating pressure on the Giants.
The dew and several dropped catches added to Warriorz’s woes, as Deol played a stabilizing role, maintaining a healthy run rate. Deol ended unbeaten on 34 off 30 balls, while Dottin contributed a rapid 33, including three fours and two sixes.
Earlier, in her bowling stint, Dottin made an impact in the second over, dismissing Kiran Navgire with an inswinger, and later claimed Uma Chetry’s wicket with a short ball in the tenth over as Warriorz struggled to recapture momentum after early losses.
Mishra’s game-changing over
At 73 for 3 after 10 overs, Warriorz were in a decent position, with McGrath and Grace Harris yet to bat. However, Mishra delivered a crucial blow by dismissing both Australian players within three deliveries. For McGrath, she bowled a googly that skidded straight and struck both the pads and bat before the lbw appeal was reviewed but turned down.
One delivery later, Mishra bowled another googly that deceived Harris, who attempted an ambitious slog across the line, only to see the ball crash into the stumps. Mishra celebrated her impactful performance with a loud cheer.
Warriorz’s batting woes
Initially opting to bat, Warriorz went with an opening pair of Kiran Navgire and Vrinda Dinesh, the latter returning from a shoulder injury. However, neither player managed to assert themselves as Dottin and Gardner struck early.
At No.3, Uma Chetry also struggled with her shots but showcased her strength by hitting four boundaries in her 27-ball 24. Alongside Deepti, the duo formed a 51-run partnership that steadied the ship after early wickets fell. Deepti, who previously scored an unbeaten 88 against Giants last year while batting at No.4, emerged as the positive note for the team, scoring 39 off 27 balls. Utilizing her signature sweep shots effectively, she maintained the run flow in the middle overs until she, too, fell to Mishra in the 15th over.
Although Thakor and King provided some late fireworks, Warriorz concluded their innings with a subpar total.
The Ecclestone vs Wolvaardt duel
Wolvaardt aimed to take the offensive early against the bowlers, but Ecclestone posed a challenge. Despite the scorecard not fully reflecting the contest, Warriorz found themselves briefly competitive, thanks to Ecclestone. After claiming her first wicket in the second over, she was entrusted with another over during the powerplay.
Wolvaardt advanced and pulled off a drive for four after missing Ecclestone’s initial delivery of the fourth over. However, four consecutive dot balls followed. Ultimately, Wolvaardt fell victim to Ecclestone, scoring 22 off 24 balls. Caught in a moment of indecision, she was beaten on pace in the ninth over. Overall, Wolvaardt managed just six runs off Ecclestone’s ten deliveries, accumulating only three scoring shots.
Ecclestone wrapped up with figures of 2 for 16, yet it wasn’t enough to secure victory for Warriorz.
Srinidhi Ramanujam is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo