Gujarat Giants displayed a dominant all-round performance to outclass UP Warriorz by six wickets in Match 3 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara on Sunday (February 16). A clinical bowling effort, spearheaded by Priya Mishra’s three-wicket haul, restricted UP Warriorz to 143/9, before Gujarat chased down the target with 12 balls to spare, thanks to Ashleigh Gardner’s explosive fifty.
Priya Mishra’s game-changing spell restricts UP Warriorz
The Warriorz struggled to build partnerships after electing to bat first, as the Giants’ bowlers, particularly Priya, struck at crucial junctures. Kiran Navgire started aggressively with 15 off 8 balls but fell early to Deandra Dottin. The middle order saw a brief resurgence through captain Deepti Sharma, who top-scored with 39 off 27 balls, but wickets continued to tumble. Priya’s decisive strikes removed Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris and Deepti, dismantling UPW’s momentum. A late cameo from Alana King (19 not out) pushed the total to 143/9, but it was below par on a good batting surface.
Ashleigh Gardner’s brutal fifty steadies Gujarat Giants’ chase
Chasing 144, the Giants suffered an early scare as Beth Mooney and Dayalan Hemalatha departed within the first two overs, leaving them reeling at 2/2. However, Gardner turned the game around with a counter-attacking 52 off 32 balls, finding support from Laura Wolvaardt (22) and Harleen Deol (34 not out). Gardner took on Warriorz’s spinners, striking five fours and three sixes, and stitched a crucial 55-run partnership with Wolvaardt to rebuild the innings. Though she fell to McGrath, Deol and Deandra Dottin (33 not out off 18) ensured a comfortable finish, sealing the win in 18 overs.
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Sophie Ecclestone’s effort goes in vain as Gujarat dominate
Sophie Ecclestone was the lone bright spot for UP Warriorz with figures of 2/16 in four overs, removing Wolvaardt and Hemalatha. However, the rest of the bowling unit lacked penetration, with King and Saima Thakor conceding 38 and 20 runs in their respective spells. Deepti’s four overs for 32 runs also failed to contain Gujarat’s aggressive approach. The Giants’ depth in batting and disciplined bowling ultimately handed them a well-deserved victory, earning them two crucial points in the tournament.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
An Indian leg spinner defeating reputed Aussie batters with her googly and flipper is exciting news. That’s what Priya Mishra, 20, did for her team Gujarat Giants against UP Warriors in WPL today. Mishra made her debut for India last year, but there’s a distinctive improvement in… pic.twitter.com/D0bBv3s31e
— Avijit Ghosh (@cinemawaleghosh) February 16, 2025
Priya Mishra is your superstar! outstanding bowling
— Shivani Shukla (@iShivani_Shukla) February 16, 2025
Priya Mishra Legend. She is some talent🔥🔥
— Archer (@poserarcher) February 16, 2025
Since the start of WPL, only 4 women have made their India debuts first and WPL debuts later
Mannat Kashyap
Titas SadhuRAGHVI BIST
PRIYA MISHRARaghvi & Priya joining the list this edition#WPL #WPL2025 #GGvUPW
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) February 16, 2025
Priya Mishra shines in WPL 2025! The 20-year-old Gujarat Giants bowler takes 3 crucial wickets, including Tahlia McGrath & Grace Harris, to restrict UP Warriorz to 143.
— Rajat (@Rajatvk18) February 16, 2025
The game was never going to be over without Dottin Didi Jai Mata Di.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 16, 2025
Death knell landed by Priya Mishra! #WPL2025
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) February 16, 2025
Ashleigh Gardner guides Gujarat to a comfortable victory 💪#WPL2025 #AshleighGardner
Scorecard: https://t.co/VWCJQi9Bam #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/Gz7lSIGYJJ— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) February 16, 2025
Hum jeet gaye! 🧡🧡🧡🧡#GGvUPW #TATAWPL2025 #GujaratGiants #BringItOn #Adani pic.twitter.com/4Dwxc5QDJU
— Gujarat Giants (@Giant_Cricket) February 16, 2025
GUJARAT GIANTS BEAT UP WARRIORZ BY 6 WICKETS….!!!!
– Captain Ashleigh Gardner Leads from the front for Gujarat Giants. pic.twitter.com/G1RAHSVCO8
— Subrata Biswas (@CricCrazySubs) February 16, 2025
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
