TATA WPL 2025: Gujarat Giants Claim First Win of the Season, Chasing 144-Run Target

By: WE Staff | Monday, 17 February 2025

• Gujarat Giants chased down 144 runs to win their first match, led by Ashleigh Gardner (52), Harleen Deol (34*), and Deandra Dottin (33*).
• UP Warriorz posted 143/9, with Gujarat's bowlers, including Priya and Gardner, taking key wickets.

Gujarat Giants secured their first win of the season with a successful chase of 144 runs set by UP Warriorz, despite a shaky start at 2-2. The victory was driven by captain Ashleigh Gardner’s second consecutive half-century, alongside key contributions from Harleen Deol and Deandra Dottin.

Gujarat Giants won the toss and opted to bowl first. UP Warriorz started well but lost their first wicket in the second over when Dottin trapped Kiran Navgire (15) lbw. Gardner then dismissed opener Vrinda Ganesh (6), leaving UP at 22 for 2.

Deepti Sharma and Uma Chetry (24) formed a 51-run partnership for the third wicket before Chetry was caught off Dottin’s bowling. Priya followed up by dismissing Tahlia McGrath (0) and Grace Harris (4), reducing UP to 74 for 5. Priya then claimed Sharma’s wicket (39), while Gardner bowled out Shweta Shekhawat (17). Sophie Ecclestone (2) was dismissed by Kashvee Gautam. Despite a late push from Alana King (19 not out) and Saima Thakor (15), UP finished with 143 for 9.

In reply, Gujarat Giants’ chase got off to a rough start with Beth Mooney (0) and Dayalan Hemalatha (0) dismissed quickly, leaving GG at 2-2. Gardner (52) and Laura Wolvaardt (22) steadied the ship with a 55-run partnership before Wolvaardt was dismissed. Gardner, after reaching her second consecutive half-century, was dismissed by Tahlia McGrath.

Harleen Deol (34 not out) and Deandra Dottin (33 not out) then put together an unbeaten 58-run partnership, guiding Gujarat Giants to victory and securing the 144-run target.