GG vs UPW | Gujarat Giants Defeat UP Warriorz by 6 Wickets in WPL 2025

Gujarat Giants Secure Commanding Victory Over UP Warriorz in WPL 2025

UPW 143/9 (20) – Deepti Sharma 39 (27), Grace Harris 42 (10); Priya Mishra 3/25, Ashleigh Gardner 2/19.

GGTW 144/4 (18) – Ashleigh Gardner 52 (32), Deandra Dottin 33* (18); Sophie Ecclestone 2/16.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Ashleigh Gardner

Gujarat Giants Women won by 6 wickets.

Ashleigh Gardner Leads from the Front as GGTW Clinch Six-Wicket Win

The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 witnessed yet another thrilling encounter as Gujarat Giants Women (GGTW) triumphed over UP Warriorz Women (UPW) by six wickets in the third match of the season. The fixture, played at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, saw Gujarat successfully chase down 144 in 18 overs, thanks to a match-winning knock by Ashleigh Gardner.

With this emphatic win, GGTW made a strong statement early in the tournament, while UPW will have to regroup and reassess their strategy moving forward.

UP Warriorz Struggle to Post a Competitive Total

Opting to bat first after losing the toss, UP Warriorz Women posted 143/9 in their 20 overs, with their batters struggling against Gujarat’s disciplined bowling attack.

The innings started on an aggressive note with Kiran Navgire smashing 15 off just 8 balls, but she was trapped lbw by Deandra Dottin in the second over. Vrinda Dinesh and Uma Chetry failed to capitalize on the start, falling cheaply as UPW found themselves at 22/2 within the powerplay.

The much-needed partnership came between Deepti Sharma and Uma Chetry, as they steadied the innings with a solid 51-run stand. Skipper Deepti played a crucial knock of 39 off 27 balls, bringing much-needed momentum to the innings. However, just as she looked set to accelerate, she was dismissed by Priya Mishra, sparking a collapse.

From 101/6 in the 15th over, UPW lost wickets at regular intervals, failing to finish on a high note. Grace Harris (42 off 10 balls) tried to inject some quick runs, but Priya Mishra got the better of her, dismissing her for a golden duck. In the lower order, Alana King’s late 19 off 14 helped UPW cross the 140-run mark.

Among Gujarat’s bowlers, Ashleigh Gardner (2/19), Priya Mishra (3/25), and Deandra Dottin (2/34) led the charge, keeping UPW batters under pressure throughout the innings.

Ashleigh Gardner Powers Gujarat Giants to Comfortable Win

Chasing 144, Gujarat Giants had a shaky start, losing Beth Mooney for a duck in the very first over, followed by Dayalan Hemalatha’s dismissal soon after. At 2/2 in the second over, Gujarat seemed in trouble, but Ashleigh Gardner’s powerful innings changed the momentum.

Gardner, who was in sublime form, smashed 52 off 32 balls, dominating the UPW bowlers with her aggressive stroke play. She stitched together a crucial 55-run partnership with Laura Wolvaardt (22 off 24), stabilizing the chase before falling to Tahlia McGrath in the 12th over.

With 86/4 on the board, UP Warriorz had a slight opening, but Harleen Deol (34 off 30) and Deandra Dottin (33 off 18) ensured there were no further hiccups. Their unbeaten 58-run stand took Gujarat home comfortably in 18 overs, sealing the six-wicket win.

For UP Warriorz, Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 2/16 in four overs, while McGrath and Grace Harris chipped in with one wicket each. However, their bowlers failed to maintain pressure after early breakthroughs.

Ashleigh Gardner – The Star Performer

Gardner had a sensational all-round performance, finishing with 2/19 in four overs before delivering a match-winning knock of 52 off 32 balls. Her aggressive batting ensured Gujarat Giants never lost control of the chase, earning her the well-deserved Player of the Match award.

Speaking after the game, Gardner said:

"It was a team effort, and I’m really happy with how we played. We lost a couple of early wickets, but we knew if we stayed positive and took calculated risks, we could chase this target. The bowlers set the tone earlier, and we just had to finish the job."

What’s Next?

Gujarat Giants will look to continue their winning momentum as they prepare for their next game, while UP Warriorz will need to regroup and address their batting woes before their next fixture.

With several thrilling games still to come, WPL 2025 is already living up to its reputation as one of the most exciting tournaments in women’s cricket.