Ajit Karn
Kiran Navgire and Grace Harris both scored fifty runs to help UP Warriorz beat Gujarat Giants by three wickets in the final over of their Women’s Premier League (WPL) season opener on Sunday at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. In pursuit of 170 runs, UP Warriorz had a dreadful start as Australia’s all-rounder raced through the top order, dismissing captain Alyssa Healy (7), Indian U19 prodigy Shweta Sehrawat (5), and world’s number one T20I batter Tahlia McGrath (0) cheaply. In three overs, UP were reduced to 20/3.
Kiran Navgire and Deepti Sharma assisted UP in completing the remainder of the powerplay without incurring any additional damage. UP’s score after six overs of powerplay was 35/3, with Kiran Navgire (19*) and Deepti Sharma (0*) unblemished.
Navgire was in fine form and has made some excellent efforts. Deepti served as the partnership’s fulcrum. 50 runs were scored by UP in 7.5 overs.
UP Warriorz were 70/3 after 10 overs, with Kiran (46*) and Deepti (8*) unblemished. In addition, the duo scored 50 runs in 42 deliveries.
Kiran reached her fifty in forty balls by hitting five fours and two sixes.
Deepti was dismissed by Mansi Joshi for 11 off 16 deliveries, granting Gujarat a breakthrough. A fourth-wicket alliance of 66 runs was disrupted. UP was 86/4 after twelve overs.
Garth’s reign of terror continued as she dismissed Kiran for 53 off 43 deliveries and Simran Shaikh for a golden duck. UP fell to 88/6 after 12.5 overs.
Within 15 overs, UP surpassed the century mark.
Devika Vaidya was fired by Annabel Sutherland for four violations. UP’s score was 105/7 after 15.4 overs.
Grace Harris and Sophie Ecclestone scored a combined 20 runs off Kim’s 18th over, reducing the deficit to 33 runs in 12 deliveries.
After Gardner gave away 14 runs in the nineteenth over, UP required 19 runs in the final over.
Grace reached her fifty in only 25 balls, with seven fours and two sixes. Grace completed the game with a six, bringing her team across the finish line with one ball remaining. UP reached 175/7 in 19.5 overs, with Grace (59*) and Ecclestone (22*) contributing. In only 25 deliveries, they scored 70 runs to propel their team to victory.
Garth was the best bowler for GG, taking 5/36. Sutherland and Joshi each captured a wicket as well.
Earlier in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) match against UP Warriorz at DY Patil Stadium on Sunday, a hard-hitting knock from Harleen Deol and her partnership with Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner helped Gujarat Giants reach a respectable total of 169/6 in their 20 overs.
After electing to bat first, Gujarat Giants’ batting got off to a solid start. Five solid fours were hit by the opening batter Sabbhineni Meghana, who appeared to be in excellent form.
However, all-rounder Deepti Sharma provided UP Warriorz with a breakthrough by dismissing opener Sophia Dunkley for 13 off 11 deliveries. 34-1 in 3.5 overs for GG.
In the following over, the number one T20I bowler in the world, Sophia Ecclestone, dismissed Sabbhineni for 24 off 15 deliveries. GG’s score was 38/2 after 4.3 overs.
Harleen Deol and Annabel Sutherland prevented any further injury to their team during the remainder of the power play. GG’s score was 45/2 after six overs, with Harleen (1*) and Sutherland (6*) at the crease.
Ecclestone claimed her second wicket in the eighth over, dismissing Sutherland for eight runs off 10 deliveries. 50/3 in 7.1 overs for GG.
At the conclusion of 10 overs, GG’s score was 67/3, with Harleen (14*) and Sushma (5*) still batting.
Tahlia McGrath, an Australian all-rounder, took another wicket for her team by dismissing Sushma Verma for nine runs. GG were 76/4 after 10.3 overs.
Ashleigh Garnder was up next in the batter’s box. The Gujarat Giants reached 100 runs in 13.5 overs after she struck a massive six.
GG’s score was 116/4 after 15 overs, with Harleen (28*) and Gardner (21*) forming a reliable partnership.
Harleen blasted Devika Vaidya for four consecutive fours in the 17th over to increase the run rate.
Anjali Sarvani terminated Harleen’s batting innings. The batter scored 46 runs off 32 balls, including seven fours. GG reached 142/6 after 17.2 overs.
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In 18.2 overs, Dayalan Hemalatha, the all-rounder, helped her team surpass the 150-run mark. At the completion of GG’s innings, Dayalan (21*) and Sneh (9*) remained unbeaten.
With 2/25, Sophie was the best bowler for UP. Deepti additionally took two wickets, while Anjali and Tahlia each took one.
Brief Scores: Gujarat Giants: 169/6 (Harleen Deol 46, Ashleigh Gardner 25, Sophie Ecclestone 2/25) fell to UP Warriorz: 175/7 (Grace Harris 59*, Kiran Navgire 53, Kim Garth 5/36) in 19.5 overs.
