WPL 2023: Gujarat Giants, who lost badly in the first match of the first season of the Women’s Premier League, failed to bat in the second match. Despite stumbling, the team’s bowlers kept the score in front of UP.
First Published Mar 5, 2023, 9:02 PM IST
Gujarat learned lessons from the defeat by Mumbai in the first match. In the match against UP Warriors at DY Patil Stadium, the batsmen of that team did not look good. Harleen Deol (46 from 32 balls, 7 fours) and Hemalatha (21 not out from 13 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) helped the team score 169 runs for the loss of six wickets in the scheduled 20 overs. The UP bowlers performed collectively and prevented Gujarat from scoring a huge score.
After winning the toss and batting first, Gujarat started the innings with a bang. Andhra girl Sabbineni Meghna (24 off 15 balls, 5 fours) tried to play fast. Another opener Sophie Dunkley (13) hit two fours and looked in full swing. Both of them hit two boundaries each in the second over bowled by Anjali Sarvani. But these two joined the pavilion immediately.
Dunkley was dismissed by Deepti Sharma on the fifth ball of the fourth over of the Gujarat innings. In the next over, Ecclestone sent Meghna to the pavilion. Annabel Sutherland (8) who came in the fourth place was dismissed by Ecclestone on the first ball of the 8th over. Sushma Verma (9) was sent to McGrath Pavilion. At the end of 11 overs, Gujarat’s score was 78-4.
Foster Harleen- Gardner
Harleen Deol along with Aussie all-rounder Gardner (25 off 19 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) helped Gujarat to lose four wickets. Both of them played a bit slower but ensured that the run rate did not drop. Gardner hit a huge six off the fifth ball of Eccleston’s 14th over. Gujarat crossed the hundred run mark. After 15 overs, Gujarat’s score was 116 for the loss of four wickets.
Deepti gave a break..
Deepti Sharma separated the pair of Gardner – Harleen Deol who were building the innings slowly. These two added 44 runs for the fifth wicket. But in the second ball of the 16th over bowled by Deepti, Gardner was stumped by wicketkeeper Healy. Harleen increased her aggression with Hemalatha who replaced her. Devika Vaidya hit four consecutive fours in the 17th over. But Anjali played a huge shot in the 18th over and caught McGrath at the boundary line.
In the last overs..
Hemalata took over after Harleen’s exit. Deepti Sharma hit 6 and 4 in the 19th over. Ecclestone scored 9 runs in the last over. As a result, Gujarat scored 169 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. Among the UP bowlers, Deepthi and Eccleston took two wickets each.
