Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriors WPL 2023: In what was a thrilling encounter between UP Warriors and Gujarat Giants in the third match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Grace Harris played a spectacular innings to lead her team to a three-wicket win with just one ball remaining. The match was held at the DY Patil Stadium on March 5, 2023, and was witnessed by a packed crowd.
The first two matches of the WPL had seen teams batting first posting scores in excess of 200, and the chasing teams struggling to keep up with the required run rate.
However, this match was different, as the Giants were asked to bat first after losing the toss. The team got off to a poor start, losing four wickets for just 76 runs in the first ten overs. But a fighting knock of 46 by Harleen Deol helped the Giants reach a respectable total of 169 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriors WPL 2023: Thrilling Match Between Giants and Warriors
In reply, the Warriors got off to a poor start, losing their first three wickets for just 31 runs. However, Kiran Navgire and Harris steadied the innings with a 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Navgire scored a well-compiled half-century, but her dismissal triggered a mini-collapse as the Warriors lost three wickets in quick succession. With 65 runs needed off just 26 balls, the match seemed to be slipping away from the Warriors.
But Harris had other plans. The Australian all-rounder, who has been in great form recently, took the attack to the Giants bowlers and smashed a brilliant unbeaten 59 off just 26 balls. Her innings was studded with five fours and four sixes, and she played some breathtaking shots to all parts of the ground.
However, the match was not without its share of drama. In the final over of the match, bowled by Annabel Sutherland, the Giants tried to get a wide overturned on review, but failed.
Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriors WPL 2023: Thrilling Match Between Giants and Warriors
The TV umpire, however, upheld Harris’ review for a delivery that was not called a wide on the field, leading to an equation that could have been 6 off 2 balls but became 5 off 3. The crowd, which had been eagerly waiting for a thrilling finish, was now completely in Harris’ corner, and cheered her on as she scored the winning runs.
Speaking after the match, Warriors captain Alyssa Healy admitted that her team had got a lucky break with the review system. “What a bizarre rule that’s been brought into WPL but it paid off tonight for us,” Healy said at the press conference.
“It felt very dirty cheering a wide. I think our dugout felt a little bit dirty about cheering an opposition wide but, at the end of the day, it helped us, the review system. I guess that’s what it’s there for.”
The match was also notable for the use of the DRS system to review wide and no-ball decisions. While the use of DRS has been a controversial issue in cricket, the WPL has decided to use it to review wide and no-ball decisions. The Giants tried to use the system to their advantage, but were unsuccessful in their attempts.
Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriors WPL 2023: Thrilling Match Between Giants and Warriors
Harris was named the player of the match for her spectacular innings, which helped the Warriors register their first win of the tournament. The Giants, on the other hand, suffered their second defeat in as many matches, and will need to regroup quickly if they are to make a comeback in the tournament.
Overall, it was a thrilling match that had everything – great batting, good bowling, and some tense moments towards the end. The WPL has got off to a great start, and fans can look forward to more exciting matches in the days to come.
