Deepti Sharma's spirited and fighting half-century went in vain as Gujarat Giants earn their second victory of the WPL 2024 with a eight-run win over UP Warriorz in the 18th match of the season at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Monday, March 11.
After posting a total of 152/8 in 20 overs on the board, thanks to an unbeaten 74-run captain knock by Beth Mooney, Gujarat Giants restricted UP Warriorz to 144/5 despite an incredible effort from Deepti Sharma. Giants were literally tested by Deepti Sharma's batting onslaught but managed to overcome all-rounder's spirited fight in the final over.
With 26 runs required off the last six balls to win, UP Warriorz fell short just 9 runs to achieve the target despite Deepti Sharma slammed two sixes with the hope of pulling off a thrilling victory. Sharma played a brilliant unbeaten innings of 88 off 60 balls. Poonam Khemnar provided enough support to Deepti Sharma with an innings of 36 off 36 balls.
For Gujarat Giants, Shabnam Shakil led the bowling attack with a three-wicket haul while Kathryn Bryce and Ashleigh Gardner picked a wicket. No to forget Meghna Singh who held her nerves to pull off the victory for Gujarat Giants in the final over.
Beth Mooney stood tall for Gujarat Giants in first innings
After opting to bat first against UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants had a great to their innings with Laura Wolvaardt anchoring the team's batting while skipper Ben Mooney played as a second fiddle. The pair formed a 60-run partnership for the opening wicket until Wolvaardt was dismissed Sophie Ecclestone.
Then, GG lost two quick wickets in Dayalan Hemalatha (0) and Phoebe Litchfield (4) and they were reduced to 69/3. Thereafter, Mooney was joined by Ashleigh Gardener in the middle to carry on Giants innings. The Australian duo kept scoreboard ticking and were looking to form a good partnership until Gardner's stay at the crease ended after he was dismissed for 15 at 102/4.
After Ashleigh Gardner's dismissal, Beth Mooney waged a lone batter as she lacked enough from other middle-order batters. Bharati Fulmali (11), Kathryn Bryce (1), Tanuja Kanwar (1) and Shabnam Shakeel (0) failed to provided enough support to Mooney.
Mooney's captain knock of 74 off 52 balls ensured that Gujarat Giants post a respectable total on the board.
UP Warriorz suffered early collapse in batting
In response to the target of 153, UP Warriorz was triggered by an early topple in their batting line-up as they lost three quick wickets in skipper Alyssa Healy (4), Chamari Athapaththu (0) and Kiran Navgire for just 4 runs in 1.2 overs.
UPW were further reduced to 35/5 with the dismissals of Grace Harris (1) and Shweta Sehrawat (8). Then, Deepti Sharma was joined by Poonam Khemnar in the middle to carry on UP Warriorz's run-chase. The duo challenged Gujarat Giants' bowling attack as they kept the scoreboard ticking.
Sharma took up the responsibility of anchoring the innings while Khemnar provided crucial support with timely boundaries. The target was looking chaseable until the 18th over where Meghna Singh conceded just three runs in her second over of the spell. Meghna's crucial spell put a brake on Warriorz' run-chase.
In the last two overs, UP Warriorz scored 31 runs but not enough to chase down the target despite Deepthi Sharma's valiant effort at crucial moments.
