GGW vs UPW: In the third game of the (WPL) Women’s Premier League 2025, Gujarat Giants picked up their inaugural victory of the season with a dominant 6-wicket win against UP Warriors. The Giants were driven to success by a top-class all-round show, with Deandra Dottin’s destructive batting and Ashleigh Gardner’s gritty half-century contributing key roles towards the victory.
UP Warriorz were tasked with defending a total of 144 after they had scored a humble 143/9 in their 20 overs. Gujarat, however, cruised to the target and won with 12 balls to spare.
Deandra Dottin’s Blistering Batting Performance
Deandra Dottin’s match-winning knock was one of the highlights of the game. Coming in to pursue the small total, Dottin demonstrated her big-hitting ability, remaining unbeaten on 33 runs in only 18 deliveries.
Her knock comprised of 3 fours and 2 sixes, obviously taking this match by storm with an arm western confidence, cavalier style, and tremendous aggression against UP bowlers. Dottin’s innings were one of aggressive repute, and the target never seemed precarious for Gujarat as they made short work of the target.
Ashleigh Gardner’s Half-Century
Ashleigh Gardner led from the front for Gujarat. Gardner took it upon herself to set the course of the chase by unleashing a serene 51 runs off 32 balls.
With aggressive batting and shrewd shot selections, UP’s bowlers were under constant pressure. Gardner’s power-hitting half-century was a delight to watch and typified her leadership, with Gardner holding the innings before Dottin finished it.
Harleen Deol’s Crucial Contribution
While perhaps not among the top scorers, Harleen Deol took a major batting role to get Gujarat to chase the total. From the other end, she kept the ball rolling with some steady batting, scoring an invaluable 34 runs from 30 balls.
She kept her cool after all at this stage, ensuring the chase did not veer off-track, rotating the strike well in singles and thereby breaking the rough patch with a marker for the goals. With Dottin, Deol gave the stability and calmness that Gujarat needed to achieve the target.
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UP Warriorz’ Underwhelming Bowling Performance
Though there was a spirited beginning, the bowlers of UP Warriorz did not perform when it mattered most. The UP bowling unit was ineffective for the most part as they could not keep Gujarat’s strong batting line-up in check. Sophie Ecclestone was the bowlers’ choice for UP, taking 2 wickets, but she could not stem the tide.
Grace Harris and Tahlia McGrath also picked up a wicket each, but they too could not have much of an impact as Gujarat reached victory. The inability of the UP bowlers to control the consistent runs over the board led them to be unable to defend the satisfactory total of 143, and they ended up losing the game.
Ultimately, Gujarat Giants’ all-round effort proved to be the turning point as they won convincingly against UP Warriors by 6 wickets. Deandra Dottin’s blistering batting, Ashleigh Gardner’s patient half-century, and Harleen Deol’s support with the bat guaranteed Gujarat’s inaugural victory of the 2025 season.
UP Warriorz, however, will have to regroup and rethink their strategy, particularly in the bowling, following their below-par performance.
ALSO READ: UP vs GG, WPL 2025 Match 3: Gujarat Giants Defeated UP Warriorz by 6 Wickets
