Mooney's knock over powers Deepti's fighting inning

Match Highlights

Gujarat Giants (GG) beat UP Warriorz (UPW) by eight runs in yesterday’s Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Batting first after winning the toss, GG were restricted to 152-8 despite captain Beth Mooney’s 74* off 52. In their chase, the in-form Deepti Sharma hammered a valiant 88* off 60, but Shabnam Md Shakil’s 3-11 proved to be the defining performance of the contest. She was named as player of the match for her exceptional bowling .

UPW batters were disappointed except Deepti

In their chase, UP Warriorz had a disastrous start, losing half their side for 35 in just seven overs. In the opening over, Alyssa Healy (4) misplayed a fullish delivery outside off from Shabnam to mid-off. In the same over, Chamari Athapaththu (0) fell as well, cutting one towards extra cover. When Kiran Navgire (0) chipped a catch to mid-off in an effort to loft Kathryn Bryce, UPW was three down in the second over. Grace Harris (1) was decisively defeated by Ashleigh Gardner, putting UP Warriorz in further danger. Harris pulled off a short ball and squared his legs. Shabnam bowled Shweta Sehrawat (8) with a delivery that appeared to sneak back a little and hit the top of off stump, putting the pursuing side five down.

Deepti became their saviour once again

Deepti then played an incredible knock, adding an unbroken 109 for the fifth wicket with Poonam Khemnar (36* off 36). Gujarat Giants, though, held their nerve to get over the line and register their first win over UPW in the WPL. Deepti held the innings together and found key boundaries, getting to her third consecutive fifty by launching Tanuja Kanwar over her head for four. Because of the horror start, though, UPW remained below the asking rate. The equation came down to 26 off the last over bowled by Meghna Singh. Deepti launched two sixes, but with 10 needed off two, the bowler conceded only one to ensure victory for GG.

Mooney carried her form

Gujarat Giants, who batted first, finished with 152-8 after once again losing steam after a strong start. With Laura Wolvaardt (43 off 30) and Captain Mooney (74* off 52), they added 60 for the first wicket, Mooney’s third consecutive fifty. When Sophie Ecclestone tricked Wolvaardt in the air and left her puzzled, the alliance was shattered. Dayalan Hemalatha (0) was caught behind after he snatched a length ball from Athapaththu. Deepti made a strong length delivery that Phoebe Litchfield (4) mishandled too much. At one end, Mooney was consistently hitting the boundaries, but Gardner (14) struck Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s hit-me ball straight to deep backward square leg. GG were 102-4 at the end of 14 overs. The story continued for the next few overs, but Mooney clobbered five fours in the last over bowled by Ecclestone to drag Gujarat Giants past the 150-run mark. The massive over came back to haunt UPW.

By Kevin Varchand