In a thrilling encounter at the BAR ABV Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, the Gujarat Giants (GG) delivered a commanding performance to defeat the UP Warriorz (UPW) by 81 runs. The Giants beat their opponents in every way, thanks to Beth Mooney's unbeaten 96 and excellent bowling from Kashvee Gautam (3-11) and Tanuja Kanwar (3-17).

Harleen Deol crucial 45 and Deandra Dottin's early breakthroughs further solidified GG's dominance in the match. Fans eagerly followed the action, with many checking live updates through platforms like bet pro login to stay engaged with every moment of the game.

A Solid Start by Gujarat Giants

Opting to bat first on a good batting wicket, Gujarat Giants faced an early setback when Dayalan Hemalatha was dismissed in the first over. Hemalatha attempted a booming drive off Chinelle Henry. Still, she only managed to nick the ball behind, giving UPW an early advantage. However, this was the only success the hosts would enjoy for a significant period.

Beth Mooney and Harleen Deol steadied the innings with a magnificent 101-run partnership for the second wicket. These two players worked well together. Deol took the lead at first, and Mooney held down the innings.

Deol struck two off-side boundaries, helping GG cross the 50-run mark in the seventh over. On the other hand, Mooney showcased her class with deft touches through third-man and elegant drives through the covers.

Mooney's Masterclass and Deol's Contribution

Mooney's skill in using her feet against spin and precise placement kept the scoreboard ticking. She brought up her half-century with a flat-batted shot off Deepti Sharma, signalling her intent to dominate the UPW bowlers. On the other hand, Deol was a key supporting player who helped the Giants keep a healthy run rate.

Sophie Ecclestone eventually broke the century stand, dismissing Deol for 45. But Mooney kept hitting hard, and in the next over, she punished young Kranti Goud for three fours. Her aggressive yet calculated approach saw her race through the 60s and 70s, putting GG in a commanding position.

Early Bloom and Mooney's Near-Miss

Mooney didn't seem to care that his partners were losing at the other end. Deandra Dottin and Ashleigh Gardner made brief appearances. Dottin hit Ecclestone with a six and a four.

But Mooney didn't get many chances to score in the last few overs—he only faced five balls in those four overs. She remained unbeaten on 96, falling just short of a well-deserved century. Gujarat Giants finished their innings at 186/5, setting a challenging target for UP Warriorz.

UP Warriorz's Collapse in the PowerPlay

The chase began disastrously for UP Warriorz as they lost a flurry of wickets in the PowerPlay. Deandra Dottin got off to a good start by getting rid of the dangerous Kiran Navgire with a toss that went off the track and was caught at slip. Georgia Voll, making her WPL debut, was removed for a duck as a booming inswinger rattled her stumps.

Grace Harris made it through a review but couldn't make the most of it, scoring only 25 runs off 30 balls. Vrinda Dinesh and Deepti Sharma also fell cheaply, leaving UPW reeling at 48/6 by the end of the PowerPlay. Meghna Singh and Kashvee Gautam did a lot to break down the top order. Gautam took two crucial wickets.

Henry's Resistance and Gautam's Heroics

Chinelle Henry fought back with a quickfire 28, including a six down the ground and a boundary through point. She forged a 35-run partnership with Uma Chetry, but her dismissal marked the beginning of the end for UPW. Sophie Ecclestone and Chetry tried to delay the unavoidable, but the hosts' innings again crumbled.

Kashvee Gautam returned to pick up two wickets in two deliveries. At the same time, Tanuja Kanwar cleaned up Ecclestone to seal the victory for Gujarat Giants. UP Warriorz lost by 81 runs after being bowled out for 105 in 17.1 overs.

Key Performances and Takeaways

Beth Mooney: The standout performer of the match, Mooney's 96* was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Her ability to anchor the innings while accelerating when needed was pivotal to GG's success.

Kashvee Gautam and Tanuja Kanwar: The duo wreaked havoc with the ball, sharing six wickets between them. Gautam's 3-11 and Kanwar's 3-17 were instrumental in restricting UPW.

  • Harleen Deol: Deol's 45 offered the perfect foil to Mooney's brilliance, ensuring GG posted a competitive total.
  • Deandra Dottin: Dottin's early breakthroughs with the ball set the tone for GG's dominance, while her brief cameo with the bat added valuable runs.

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Last Words

Gujarat Giants' comprehensive win over UP Warriorz was a testament to their all-round strength. Beth Mooney's near-century, backed by Harleen Deol and the bowling heroics of Kashvee Gautam and Tanuja Kanwar, ensured GG emerged victorious by a massive margin. UP Warriorz, on the other hand, will need to regroup and address their batting frailties if they are to bounce back in the tournament.

Brief Scores:

Gujarat Giants 186/5 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 96*, Harleen Deol 45; Sophie Ecclestone 2-34) beat UP Warriorz 105 in 17. 1 over (Chinelle Henry 28, Grace Harris 25; Kashvee Gautam 3-11, Tanuja Kanwar 3-17) by 81 runs.