The ravishing Gujarat Giants managed to win easily against UP Warriorz here at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, with Ashleigh Gardner leading them in the third match of WPL 2025. Chasing a target of 144 runs, Ahmedabad franchise achieved their goal in 18 overs, losing four of their players in the process.
After losing the first game to Royal Challengers bengaluru where their bowlers were hit left right and centre for runs, GG managed a good comeback in this match.
Gardner and Dottin Rise Like Stars in Chase
Captain Ashleigh Gardner was the strong scorer, with a blistering 52 runs from 32 balls at No. 4. For the finishing touch, complemented her innings with West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin, who remained unbeaten on 33 runs from just 18 deliveries. Harleen Deol also contributed with 34 runs from 30 balls anchoring further the innings.
But the best performance would have to go to UP Warriorz's bowler Sophie Ecclestone, who managed to take two wickets at an expense of 16 runs in four overs. Grace Harris and Tahlia McGrath also took one wicket each, but it was insufficient to stem the tide for Gujarat to reach the total.
UP Warriorz Finds It Hard To Set Up A Defensible Total
The UP Warriorz, captained by Deepti Sharma, were asked to bat first after the Gujarat Giants won the toss. Allotted 20 overs, the Lucknow-based franchise labored to only 143 runs for the loss of 9 wickets, thanks not to a heavy contribution from captain Deepti, who made 39 runs off 27 balls.Haruna Chetry made 24 runs, while Alana King contributed 19, with the remaining ten batters failing to make any meaningful contributions.
Priya Mishra was the pick of the bowlers for the Gujarat Giants, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs in her four overs.
This however gives the Gujarat Giants some credibility in WPL 2025. Ashleigh Gardner's leadership and all-round performance have already set the tone for the Gujarat campaign, alongside vital contributions from the likes of Deandra Dottin and Priya Mishra. The UP Warriorz, meanwhile, needs to regroup and find answers to their batting inconsistency before coming back into the tournament.
Man of the Matches and Key Moments Turning the Setback into Success
A whole crop of performances ran the match, but Gardner, in terms of hard work, sealed the victory for Gujarat. Another trend in the important points for the match would be Dottin's fireworks as well as Mishra's worthy bowling show.
On the comeback trail for UP Warriorz was Deepti Sharma's innings with the bat and the miserly bowling from Sophie Ecclestone; however, very few have the depth to pull themselves back up to countering Gujarat's mighty lineup.
Playing XIs
UP Warriorz Women:
Vrinda Dinesh, Grace Harris, Tahlia McGrath, Kiran Navgire, Uma Chetry (WK), Deepti Sharma (C), Sophie Ecclestone, Alana King, Shweta Sehrawat, Saima Thakor, Kranti Goud
Gujarat Giants Women:
Beth Mooney (WK), Laura Wolvaardt, Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner (C), Deandra Dottin, Simran Shaikh, Harleen Deol, Tanuja Kanwar, Sayali Satghare, Priya Mishra, Kashvee Gautam