The Women’s T20 League finally had a game where the team batting first registered a score lower than 200. The Gujarat team lost their first game in the season-opener against Mumbai comprehensively, as they were bowled out for just 64 while chasing a target of 208 runs in 20 overs. They were in action again on Sunday, the league’s first double-header day, against the UP franchise.
After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, Gujarat posted a competitive total of 169/6 in 20 overs. Opener S Meghana scored a quick-fire 24 off 15 to lay the foundation for the team representing the western state of Gujarat. Harleen Deol’s 46 off 32 and handy contributions by Ashleigh Gardener and Dayalan Hemalatha helped Gujarat reach 169 in their quota of 20 overs, losing six wickets on the way. For UP, Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone returned with two wickets apiece, while Tahila McGrath and Anjali Sarvani had one scalp each in the game.
Gujarat faced the second-straight defeat of the season
In reply, UP started in a disastrous fashion, losing both their openers inside three overs. Skipper Alyssa Healy got out for 7 while her opening partner Shweta Sehrawat could only manage 5. Kiran Navgire tried her best to get the UP innings back on track with 53 off 43. Grace Harris with 59 off 26 and Sophie Ecclestone with 22 of 12 helped UP over the finish line as they handed Gujarat their second defeat by three wickets. Kim Garth remained the pick of the bowlers for Gujarat, returning with figures of 5/36 from her four overs.
In the day’s first game, Delhi started their campaign with a win over the star-studded Bangalore franchise as Smriti Mandhana and co. could not come up with an even answer to Delhi’s mammoth total of 223/2 in 20 overs. Delhi skipper Meg Lanning with 72 off 43, and her opening partner Shafali Verma with 84 off 45, remained the key performers with the bat, while Tara Norris completed a five-wicket haul. The next game in the Women’s T20 League will be played between Mumbai and Bangalore on Monday in Brabourne Stadium.
Here’s how fans reacted to UP’s masterful batting display:
Grace Harris has a bigger Cricket legacy than Abd.
— ` (@rahulmsd_91) March 5, 2023
modiji haar gaye yogiji ke haathon!
— ???????? (@hydbadshah) March 5, 2023
Adani ke stock aur team dono neeche
— Cricket Fan 07 (@Manas_pr_sharma) March 5, 2023
Dhobi after watching this pic.twitter.com/EBRxl7yhDS
— Haider Khan ??? (@ind_iw0) March 5, 2023
Adani seeing this performance pic.twitter.com/GRUICC6GOM
— Prasun Jha (@jprasun21) March 5, 2023
Grace Harris's record in India is phenomenal so far, He was destructive during India tour and she continued his form. Unbelievable chase in last 3 overs. Players like her will make WPL more interesting and exciting.
— Random (@MakingMistake) March 5, 2023
Feel for Gujrat Giants pic.twitter.com/9UXHJUUfYR
— Purva Kadam (@Kohlifitoor) March 5, 2023
An avg guy can tell u that was not wide
But we all know umpires quality in IPL
Chiii ?? pic.twitter.com/YZhc83TAUE— Ekansh Rai (@EkanshRai11) March 5, 2023
