GG Chase Down 144-Run Target in 18 Overs as They Beat UPW in WPL 2025
The Gujarat Giants (GG) have made a strong statement in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, beating the UP Warriorz (UPW) by six wickets in the third match of the tournament. The Ashleigh Gardner-led team showed their mettle by restricting UPW to 143 and then chasing down the 144-run target with 12 balls to spare.
The match was played on Sunday, with both teams looking to get off to a good start in the tournament. UPW won the toss and elected to bat first, with their skipper Kiran Navgire leading the charge. Navgire scored 30 runs off 24 balls, but the rest of the UPW batswomen failed to capitalize on her start.
The Gujarat Giants’ bowlers did a fantastic job of restricting UPW’s scoring rate, with Gardner and Harleen Deol sharing the bulk of the wickets. Gardner picked up 2/26 in her four overs, while Deol took 2/23 in her three overs.
UPW’s poor batting effort was compounded by the fact that they lost wickets at regular intervals. By the time they reached the end of their 20 overs, they were struggling to reach 143, a total that looked modest at best.
In response, the Gujarat Giants came out strongly, with Gardner and Deol setting the tone for their chase. Gardner, who has been in excellent form, made 52 runs off 32 balls, while Deol scored 26 runs off 21 balls. The two batswomen added 67 runs for the fifth wicket, taking the pressure off the rest of the batting order.
Once Deol was dismissed, Deandra Dottin took over, scoring an unbeaten 26 runs off 14 balls. Her partnership with Gardner was the game-changer, as the two batswomen added 67 runs for the fifth wicket, taking the Gujarat Giants close to the target.
In the end, it was Dottin who took the Gujarat Giants home, hitting a six off the last ball of the 18th over to seal the victory. The Gujarat Giants’ chase was all the more impressive given the fact that they lost wickets at regular intervals, but their batswomen showed the character and temperament to take the team home.
The win has given the Gujarat Giants a much-needed boost, as they look to make a deep run in the tournament. The UP Warriorz, on the other hand, will need to regroup and come back stronger in their next match.
The Gujarat Giants will next face the Delhi Capitals, who have had a mixed start to their campaign. The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams looking to gain an upper hand in the tournament.
In the meantime, the Gujarat Giants will take pride in their victory over the UP Warriorz, a win that has sent a strong message to the rest of the teams in the tournament. With their strong bowling attack and batsmen who can score big, the Gujarat Giants look like a team that can go all the way in the WPL 2025.
