Priya Mishra played a pivotal role in Gujarat Giants v/s UP Warriorz win in the WPL 2025. In a crucial moment during the match, Mishra took two significant wickets in just three deliveries, turning the momentum in favour of the Giants. She first dismissed Tahlia McGrath with a well-bowled googly that skidded on, beating the bat to strike the pad, leading to an unsuccessful review for LBW.
Shortly after, Mishra bowled another googly to Grace Harris, who misjudged the flight and was clean-bowled while attempting a slog across the line. This over was crucial in halting Warriorz’s progress, contributing significantly to limiting them to a modest total. Mishra’s ability to produce breakthroughs in crucial moments underscored her value as a match-winner, finishing with impressive figures of 3-25.
Ashleigh Gardner’s Dominant Batting
Captain Ashleigh Gardner showcased her class and form by steering her team with a masterful 52 off just 28 balls. Coming to the crease at a critical juncture with the Giants struggling at 2 for 2, Gardner displayed aggression and control. She launched an attack on the Warriorz’s bowlers, particularly targeting Saima Thakor for 20 runs in a single over, including two sixes.
Her innings featured five fours and three sixes, demonstrating her ability to hit powerful shots and use her feet effectively against spin. Gardner’s brisk scoring not only stabilized the Giants but also set the platform for a successful chase, exemplifying her role as a leader who steps up under pressure to make records.
Warriorz’s Top-Order Collapse
UP Warriors faced significant setbacks early in their innings, primarily due to a lackluster performance from their top order. Opening the batting, Kiran Navgire and Vrinda Dinesh failed to make an impact, falling early to the bowling of Deandra Dottin and Gardner. The early wickets put the Warriors on the back foot, struggling at 73 for 3 at the halfway mark. The lack of a solid start hampered their ability to post a competitive total, ultimately setting a foundation that was too weak to challenge the Giants effectively like they were challenged in the first match.
Deepti Sharma’s Valiant Effort
Despite the top-order failure, Deepti Sharma, the new captain for Warriorz, tried to anchor the innings with a well-composed 39 off 27 balls. Deepti employed her trademark sweeps and pulls effectively, keeping the scoreboard moving. She and Uma Chetry formed a crucial 51-run partnership that stabilized the innings. However, her dismissal by Mishra in the 15th over ended any hopes of a late assault, leaving the Warriors to finish with a below-par total.
Fielding and Tactical Errors by Warriorz
UP Warriorz were also let down by their fielding and tactical decisions during the match. The team struggled with several dropped catches and misfields that allowed the Giants extra runs and crucial continuations of innings for key batters like Gardner and Deol. Additionally, the decision to open the batting with less experienced players in the absence of injured regulars did not pay off, reflecting a possible misjudgment in team strategy. These errors in fielding and tactics compounded their difficulties, making it challenging to defend their total.
Gujarat Giants 144 for 4 (Gardner 52, Deol 34*, Dottin 33*, Ecclestone 2-16) beat UP Warriorz 143 for 9 (Deepti 39, Mishra 3-25) by six wickets
Giants’ All-Round Performance Seals the Win
The Gujarat Giants displayed a well-rounded performance in this match. Following Mishra’s lead with the ball, other contributors like Harleen Deol and Deandra Dottin played significant roles in the chase. Dottin, known for her power-hitting, swiftly scored 33 runs off just a few deliveries, including crucial boundaries that eased the pressure during the chase. Deol played the anchor’s role, scoring an unbeaten 34 and ensuring the Giants reached their target comfortably. This all-around performance by the Giants not only provided a comprehensive victory but also signalled their potential resurgence after the opening-day loss, setting up the team for success in upcoming fixtures.
Scorecard of WPL 2025: Match 3 – UP Warriorz Women vs Gujarat Giants Women
Date: February 16, 2025
Venue: Vadodara
Result: Gujarat Giants Women won by 6 wickets (with 12 balls remaining)
Player of the Match
Ashleigh Gardner, GG-W
- Batting: 52 runs off 32 balls
- Bowling: 2 wickets for 39 runs
- MVP Points: 116.53
UP Warriorz Women Innings – 143/9 (20 overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiran Navgire | 15 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 187.50 |
| Dinesh Vrinda | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Uma Chetry † | 24 | 27 | 4 | 0 | 88.88 |
| Deepti Sharma (c) | 39 | 27 | 6 | 0 | 144.44 |
| Tahlia McGrath | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Grace Harris | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Shweta Sehrawat | 16 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 88.88 |
| Alana King | 19* | 14 | 2 | 1 | 135.71 |
| Sophie Ecclestone | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28.57 |
| Saima Thakor | 15 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 214.28 |
Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-22, 3-73, 4-74, 5-78, 6-101, 7-111, 8-117, 9-143
Gujarat Giants Women Innings – 144/4 (18 overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Wolvaardt | 22 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 91.66 |
| Beth Mooney † | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Dayalan Hemalatha | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Ashleigh Gardner | 52 | 32 | 5 | 3 | 162.50 |
| Harleen Deol | 34* | 30 | 4 | 0 | 113.33 |
| Deandra Dottin | 33* | 18 | 3 | 2 | 183.33 |
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-2, 3-57, 4-86
Bowling Summary
UP Warriorz Women
- Sophie Ecclestone: 4 overs, 16 runs, 2 wickets
- Grace Harris: 1 over, 1 run, 1 wicket
- Tahlia McGrath: 3 overs, 21 runs, 1 wicket
Gujarat Giants Women
- Priya Mishra: 4 overs, 25 runs, 3 wickets
- Ashleigh Gardner: 4 overs, 39 runs, 2 wickets
- Deandra Dottin: 4 overs, 34 runs, 2 wickets
