Sophie Devine delivered a match-winning all-round performance as Gujarat Giants ended their three-game losing streak in the Women’s Premier League with a convincing 45-run victory over UP Warriorz.
The win marked a crucial turnaround for Gujarat, who climbed to second place in the league standings with six points from six matches. They now trail table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru by four points, with RCB maintaining a perfect record of five wins from five games.
Playing at home, Gujarat produced a composed and disciplined display, led by their experienced captain Devine. The New Zealand all-rounder anchored the batting innings superbly, guiding her team to a competitive total of 153 for eight. Her unbeaten half-century provided the backbone of Gujarat’s innings and proved too much for Warriorz to chase.
Devine’s innings was not without drama. She was given an early lifeline when Phoebe Litchfield dropped her on 21, a mistake that ultimately proved costly. Although Litchfield later held on to a catch off Devine in the final over, celebrations were cut short when the delivery was ruled a no-ball by Shikha Pandey.
Devine made the Warriorz pay immediately, smashing the resulting free hit for six before reaching her fifty off the final ball of the innings. Her calmness under pressure and ability to capitalise on errors ensured Gujarat posted a total that always felt slightly above par.
UP Warriorz’s reply got off to the worst possible start. Renuka Singh Thakur struck with just the third delivery of the innings, dismissing Kiran Navgire and instantly putting the chase on the back foot. The early breakthrough allowed Gujarat’s bowlers to attack with confidence and maintain tight control throughout the powerplay.
Captain Meg Lanning attempted to steady the innings but was removed by Kashvee Gautam, further denting Warriorz’s hopes. Phoebe Litchfield showed some resistance, contributing 32 from 27 balls, but her dismissal to Ash Gardner halted any momentum the visitors were building.
As wickets continued to fall, the required run rate climbed rapidly. Chloe Tryon fought hard in the latter stages, remaining unbeaten on 30, but with little support from the other end, her efforts were never likely to be enough.
Devine once again stepped up with the ball, underlining her all-round value. She claimed the key wickets of Sophie Ecclestone and Kranti Gaud, finishing with impressive figures of 2-16. Her disciplined bowling ensured there was no late surge from the Warriorz lower order.
Gujarat’s bowlers worked cohesively, combining early strikes with tight lines and smart variations to restrict Warriorz well short of the target. The visitors were ultimately unable to recover from their poor start, falling 45 runs short in a chase that never truly gathered momentum.
The result not only ended Gujarat Giants’ losing run but also reaffirmed their status as serious contenders in this season’s Women’s Premier League. With Devine finding form at the right time and contributions coming from across the squad, Gujarat will take confidence into the remaining matches as they push for a place in the playoffs.
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