Sophie Devine's All-Round Brilliance Guides Gujarat Giants to Commanding WPL Victory
In a much-needed turnaround, Gujarat Giants snapped their three-match losing streak with a comprehensive 45-run triumph over UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League on Thursday. The victory was orchestrated by a stellar all-round performance from New Zealand's Sophie Devine, whose composed half-century and crucial bowling contributions proved decisive.
Devine's Resilient Knock Lifts Giants to Competitive Total
After being asked to bat first, Gujarat Giants faced early challenges but managed to post a competitive 153/8 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Sophie Devine's unbeaten 50 off just 42 deliveries, an innings that showcased both resilience and power-hitting.
Devine's knock was particularly impressive considering she survived an early run-out scare and was dropped on 35 off a no-ball. She made the most of her reprieves, finishing strongly with three sixes and two fours. The final over proved crucial as Devine smashed two sixes off Shikha Pandey, pushing the total beyond the 150-mark and giving her team momentum heading into the break.
Disciplined Bowling Attack Demolishes UP Warriorz Chase
Gujarat's bowlers delivered a clinical performance, bundling out UP Warriorz for just 108 runs in 17.3 overs. The hosts never recovered from early setbacks, losing Kiran Navgire for a golden duck in the very first over and skipper Meg Lanning for just 14 during the powerplay.
The bowling attack was led by veteran left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who marked her comeback match with exceptional figures of 3/16. Her triple-wicket burst reduced UP Warriorz to 93/7, effectively ending any hopes of a successful chase.
Sophie Devine complemented her batting heroics with 2/16 with the ball, while Renuka Singh contributed 2/20. The only resistance from UP Warriorz came from Phoebe Litchfield, who scored 32, but the constant pressure from Gujarat's bowlers proved too much for the batting lineup.
Key Moments That Shaped the Match
- Sophie Devine's late assault in the final over, hitting two sixes off Shikha Pandey
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad's three-wicket haul that broke the back of UP Warriorz's middle order
- Early dismissals of Kiran Navgire (golden duck) and Meg Lanning (14) that put UP Warriorz on the back foot
- Devine's crucial breakthrough wickets that wrapped up the tail, including the dismissal of Sophie Ecclestone
Impact on WPL Standings and Team Momentum
This emphatic victory propelled Gujarat Giants to second place in the WPL standings, behind leaders Royal Challengers Bengaluru. More importantly, it ended their three-game losing streak and restored confidence in the camp ahead of crucial upcoming matches.
For UP Warriorz, the loss highlighted batting vulnerabilities despite some disciplined bowling through the middle overs. Kranti Goud's economical spell of 2/18 had initially kept Gujarat's scoring in check, but Devine's late surge proved the difference between a defendable and a winning total.
The match demonstrated the importance of all-round contributions in T20 cricket, with Sophie Devine's performance serving as a masterclass in how to impact a game with both bat and ball. As the Women's Premier League progresses, such comprehensive team performances will be crucial for teams aiming for playoff spots.
