Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz Highlights, WPL 2025: Ashleigh Gardner's All-Round Show Guides GG To 6-Wicket Victory

Right then, Gujarat managed a brilliant victory dominating all factors of the game against UP and getting their first win of the season. The Women's T20 League now moves its focus to the next big game of the tournament that is to be played between Delhi vs Bengaluru at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) on 17th February 2025 but you can always join us early for all the pre-match excitement. Till then, have a nice day!

Ash Gardner, the Skipper of Gujarat is also the Player of the Match. She is very pleased with the win as they went too far in that first game too but eventually they lost because of bowling. Adds that they have played a brand of cricket here and this was a near-perfect game for them. But there is still a lot of improvement there and someone like Priya Mishra getting three wickets at this age provides a different confidence in the whole group. Mentions that she targets the stumps when she comes in to bowl and hopefully, she bowled so far in the first two games, and the boundaries are too frequent here as you have to bowl on the tighter lines and lengths. Further adds that there have been individual assessments as every different person has their game plans for their batting as Deandra Dottin just whacks every other ball. Concludes that players like Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney in the team do help as they know how to play under pressure.

... TIME FOR THE PRESENTATIONS ...

Deandra Dottin emphasizes the importance of execution with the ball, believing UP fell 20-30 runs short of a par score. She remains focused on finishing the chase quickly, ensuring the game doesn't get tricky in the final overs. Dottin sees herself as a vital addition to the Women's T20 League, aiming for consistent performances with Gujarat. Praising Ash Gardner, she highlights the skipper’s composure and ability to assess conditions well. She insists there was no pressure on their side, shifting the burden onto UP as Gujarat cruised to victory.

Deepti Sharma, the Skipper of UP, says that they could have stepped up more as she has looked at the wicket so far. If there could have been one or two big partnerships then we could have gone above 170. Adds that the spin is their bowling strength as she and Sophie have been brilliant though the dew was already there. Mentions that she wants to improve the batting in the next match and she will try to execute the plans and hopefully, that will go well in the next match.

Despite losing Gardner, Gujarat never lost control. Harleen Deol and Deandra Dottin took over in the latter stages, ensuring there were no late jitters. Their confident strokeplay and composure in the middle helped Gujarat cruise to victory in style. This comprehensive all-round performance comes as a huge boost for Gujarat, who now look to carry this momentum forward in the tournament.

After winning the toss, Gujarat’s bowlers stepped up to restrict UP to a modest total of 143 on a surface that had plenty to offer for the batters. Their disciplined effort ensured the opposition never really broke free, keeping the scoring in check throughout the innings. Chasing 144 for victory, Gujarat’s innings got off to a steady start, but it was Ash Gardner who stole the show early on. She played a match-defining knock, bringing up a brilliant half-century to set the perfect platform for the chase. Gardner’s fearless stroke play kept the scoreboard ticking and put UP on the back foot.

Gujarat have finally opened their account in the tournament, securing a commanding 6-wicket win over UP. A well-rounded performance with both bat and ball saw them chase down a target of 144 with two overs to spare, marking a much-needed breakthrough in their campaign.

GUJARAT WIN IT BY 6 WICKETS WITH TWO OVERS TO SPARE! They have been brilliant throughout the match and have come out on top at the end! Sharma drops it short, around middle, Harleen Deol goes back in the crease, swivels and pulls it towards square leg where the fielder makes a fumble and they run for a single.

A dot ball! Drags her length, around off, Deol comes down the track and pushes it back to the bowler.

FOUR! THE SCORES ARE ON LEVEL! Comes back over the wicket does Deepti Sharma to Deol and tosses up, outside off, Harleen Deol moves across a bit and drills it along the ground to sweeper cover for a boundary. They need just one now.

Comes around the wicket and bowls a quick ball, on the nagging length, around off, Dottin shimmies down the track a bit and drags it to long on for a single.

SIX! QUITE IMPRESSIVE! Tossed up, slower through the air, around off and middle, Deandra Dottin uses her feet to get to the pitch of the ball and launches it down the ground for a biggie. Gujarat need just 6 now.

Nagging length, around middle, Deol goes back in the crease and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Goes fuller, around middle, Deol flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

A difficult chance but Deepti Sharma drops it. Goud changes her pace and bowls on the good length, outside off, Deandra Dottin just swinging at everything as she goes back in the crease and looks to go down the ground but this time, she doesn't time it well as the ball goes in the air towards mid off. Deepti Sharma backtracks it and stretches her arms to take it but the ball bursts out through her hands. They take a single.

FOUR! TOO MUCH POWER! Kranti Goud serves it in the slot, around off, Deandra Dottin clears out her front leg and thumps it over the head of the bowler for a boundary.

On a good length, outside off, Dottin dabs at it towards extra cover.

Pace off, slower length ball, well outside off, Deandra Dottin clears out her front leg and has a wild swing at it but misses.

Goes fuller straight, around middle, Deol lunges and clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.