WPL Review: Gujarat takes a giant leap after thumping UP Warriorz
Gujarat Giants took a giant leap in the standings on Monday, March 3, as they moved to No. 2 after registering a thumping 81-run win against UP Warriorz at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium.
Deepti Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first on Monday. The Warriorz got off to a fantastic start as Chinelle Henry dismissed Dayalan Hemalatha in the first over. However, Beth Mooney and Harleen Deol joined forces and added 101 runs off 68 balls for the second wicket.
After Deol was dismissed for a 32-ball 45, Gujarat skipper Ashleigh Gardner tried to capitalise on the solid platform but couldn’t succeed. Deandra Dottin played a fine cameo, scoring 17 off just eight balls. Mooney showed no signs of slowing down as he took the UP bowlers to the cleaners and eventually finished unbeaten on 96 off 59 balls. She helped Gujarat finish on a staggering total of 186/5 in 20 overs.
In reply, Dottin bagged the wickets of Kiran Navgire and Georgia Voll in the first over. Vrinda Dinesh and Deepti were also dismissed inside the powerplay. Grace Harris saw wickets tumbling from the other end, and she followed her partners back to the hut after scoring a 30-ball 25. Gujarat had UP on the mat at 48/6. Chinelle hit a flurry of boundaries before being dismissed for a 14-ball 28.
Uma Chetry and Sophie Ecclestone tried to delay the inevitable, scoring 17 and 14, respectively. The Warriorz were eventually bowled out for 105 in 17.1 overs. Kashvee Gautam and Tanuja Kanwar bagged three wickets apiece. Dottin couldn’t add to the two wickets she picked up in her first over. Meghna Singh proved to be expensive, but she bagged the important wicket of Deepti.
Top Performers of the match
Beth Mooney – 96* off 59 balls
Mooney hit an impressive 17 boundaries during her unbeaten knock of 96 off 59 balls. She would have become the first player to score a century in WPL history. However, the Gujarat fans would remember her knock for a long time as it has helped them improve their net run-rate substantially and keep the hopes of playoff qualification well and truly alive.
Kashvee Gautam – 3/11
Kashvee Gautam bowled two overs inside the powerplay, conceding just six runs and picking up the important wicket of Dinesh. She came back in the death overs to dismiss Uma Chetry and Gouher Sultana off consecutive deliveries. Gautam finished with figures of 3/11 in three overs.
What’s next for the two teams?
Gujarat will face Delhi Capitals on Friday, March 7. Meanwhile, the Warriorz will lock horns with Mumbai Indians on Thursday, March 6.
