WPL 2023: GG-W vs UPW-W - A Thrilling Match with UPW Emerging Victorious

The 3rd match of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023 took place at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, delivering an exhilarating encounter between the Gujarat Giants (GG-W) and the Uttar Pradesh Warriors (UPW-W). The match witnessed intense moments, with UPW ultimately emerging victorious by three wickets. In this article, we will delve into the details of the match, highlighting the key performances, turning points, and the overall outcome.

GG-W's Decision to Bat First
Winning the toss, GG-W elected to bat first, aiming to set a challenging target for UPW-W. Captain Beth Mooney, nursing a knee injury, rested for the match, with Sneha Rana taking charge of the team. The absence of Mooney provided an opportunity for other players to step up and make their mark in the game.

GG-W's Batting Performance
GG-W's openers, Sophia Dunkley and S Meghana, started the innings confidently, scoring six boundaries in the first four overs. However, Dunkley's innings was cut short by Deepti Sharma, dismissing her for 13 runs off 11 balls. Meghana also fell soon after, caught by Ecclestone in the fifth over, contributing 24 runs off 15 balls.

During the powerplay, GG-W's score stood at 45/2. In the following overs, the team lost a couple more wickets. Sutherland was caught out by Anjali, adding 8 runs to the scoreboard, and Sushma Verma was dismissed by Shweta after contributing 9 runs. Ashleigh Gardner provided some resistance, hitting a boundary and a six in her innings of 25 runs off 19 balls. Harleen Deol played a crucial knock, falling just 4 runs short of a half-century, scoring 46 runs off 32 deliveries.

In the final over, Hemalatha played a valuable cameo, contributing 21 runs and remaining not out. With a total of 169 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, GG-W set a competitive target for UPW-W.

UPW-W's Challenging Chase
UPW-W began their innings with Alyssa Healy and Shweta Sehrawat as the openers. They made a solid start, but Healy's dismissal after scoring 7 runs off 8 balls brought an early setback for UPW-W. Kiran Navgire joined Shweta in the middle and played a crucial role in stabilizing the innings.

However, GG-W's bowlers struck back, taking three wickets in the powerplay and restricting UPW-W to just 35 runs. Despite the early setbacks, Kiran showed resilience and reached a well-deserved half-century, scoring 53 runs off 43 balls, including five boundaries and two sixes. Deepti Sharma also played a vital role, forming a valuable partnership of 66 runs with Kiran.

As the innings progressed, UPW-W lost wickets at regular intervals. Simran and Devika were dismissed in the 13th and 16th overs, respectively. Grace added some fireworks to the chase, hitting a six in the 17th over. In the final over, UPW-W required 19 runs to secure the victory. Grace's exceptional performance, hitting a hat-trick of fours, ensured UPW-W achieved the target with three wickets in hand.

The Winning Factors
UPW-W's victory can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, GG-W's below-par fielding allowed UPW-W to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Additionally, Sutherland's bowling performance was not up to the mark, providing UPW-W's batsmen with scoring opportunities. Grace's outstanding performance in the final over played a significant role in securing the win for UPW-W.

Conclusion
The 3rd match of WPL 2023 between GG-W and UPW-W was a thrilling encounter, showcasing the competitive spirit and skill of both teams. Despite GG-W's commendable batting performance, UPW-W chased down the target of 170 runs with determination and precision. Grace's exceptional batting in the final over, along with the contributions from Kiran Navgire and Deepti Sharma, ensured UPW-W emerged victorious by three wickets. The match highlighted the importance of consistent performance in all aspects of the game, from batting and bowling to fielding, ultimately leading to success in the Women's Premier League.