In a thrilling encounter between Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz, the Giants, led by skipper Beth Mooney, chose to bat first after winning the toss against UP Warriorz. Mooney and Laura Wolvaardt provided a solid start with a 60-run opening partnership, but UP Warriorz fought back with Sophie Ecclestone’s breakthrough at the eight over. Despite a middle-overs collapse, Beth Mooney’s aggressive innings of unbeaten 74 runs guided the Giants to a competitive total of 152 against 8 wickets.
UP Warriorz stumbled early, losing key wickets within the powerplay, courtesy of Shabnam Shakil’s remarkable bowling where she dismissed skipper Alyssa Healy and Chamari Athapaththu. Despite a valiant 109-run partnership between Deepti Sharma and Poonam Khemnar, the Warriorz fell short by 8 runs, finishing at 144/5. Shakil’s impressive figures of 3/11 earned her the Player of the Match award as the Giants secured a crucial victory, keeping their qualification hopes alive.
The match witnessed an intense battle between bat and ball, leaving fans at the edge of their seats and sparking discussions on social media platforms, here are some highlights from the match-
Beth Mooney’s third consecutive half-century
Mooney built a 60-run opening partnership with Laura. She concluded with an unbeaten 74 runs off 52 deliveries, including ten boundaries and a maximum, at a strike rate of 142.30. Her significant contribution helped the Giants reach a total of 152 runs. Fans praised her for such commendable consecutive knocks and wished for the Giants to secure a spot in the playoffs.
Beth Mooney 3 matches 3 fiftes
But too late for her team to qualify easily#GGvsUPW #WPL #WPLT20 #Wpl2024— INTRINSIC CRICKET . (@intrcricket11) March 11, 2024
Ecclestone’s breakthrough in the opening set
Sophie Ecclestone broke the opening partnership of the Giants, striking twice in the eighteenth over to dismiss Kathryn Bryce and Tanuja Kanwar. She currently holds the purple cap. Fans were delighted to witness her spell.
Sophie Ecclestone took 3️⃣ wickets against Gujarat Giants!@UPWarriorz @wplt20 #SophieEcclestone #TATAWPL #WPL2024 pic.twitter.com/HdKnKBmFR1
— the_cricket_web (@the_cricket_web) March 11, 2024
What a delightful piece of left arm spin from #Ecclestone !!!#WPL2024 #GGvsUPW#Cricket
— Woorkeri Raman (@wvraman) March 11, 2024
Deepti’s sensational efforts
In a stunning display of skill and determination, Deepti Sharma reignited her team’s hopes with an unbeaten 88 runs off just 60 deliveries. Her innings were adorned with nine boundaries and four maximums, with a strike rate of 146.66. Teaming up with Poonam Khemnar, their partnership ignited a flicker of hope for UP’s chase. However, despite their valiant efforts, UP fell short by a mere 8 runs.
Deepti’s stellar performance marked her third consecutive half-century, earning her the orange cap. Nevertheless, despite her brilliance, UP’s journey to the playoffs remained elusive. Fans applauded her for her tremendous efforts, showering praise for her exceptional performance on the field.
Once again deepti Sharma showing her power against GG#wpl2024 #deeptisharma #GGvsUPW pic.twitter.com/nlE6ewd4PI
— Aditya Sharma (@Sharma_Aditya90) March 12, 2024
From 16/5 to 144/5, Poonam Khemnar's support lifted Deepti, but UPW couldn't seal the win.#DeeptiSharma #PoonamKhemnar #UPW #UPW2024 #WPLMemes #WPL #WPL2024 #cricketmemes #cricketdaily #GGvUPW #GGvsUPW #UPWvGG #UPWvsGG pic.twitter.com/bLKf3AtdbD
— Mega Cricket World (@mcworldsocial) March 12, 2024
Deepti Sharma's 88* can't get UP Warriorz over the line, Beth Mooney and Shabnam Shakil give Gujarat Giants their second win!#WPL #GGvUPW #GGvsUPW #GujaratGiants #UPWarriorz #WomensCricket #Cricket pic.twitter.com/MRQqlTqCrU
— The Sportz (@TheSportzIndia) March 11, 2024
295 runs with bat.
– 9 wickets with ball.Deepti Sharma has given everything in this WPL, literally a one man army in all departments – Great news for India in the World Cup.
#Deeptisharma #GGvsUPW#WPL #womencricket #Oscars #Ramadan #BabarAzam #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/QNTN24XIGg— Tribal pariwaar 🌴 (@SportLo37344874) March 11, 2024
This player is exceptional.
Deepti sharma, remember the name.#DeeptiSharma #WPL #GGvsUPW pic.twitter.com/zoM7QGvc4S
— Myself A MAN (@just_aman_singh) March 11, 2024
Three consecutive fifties, well done Deepthi 👏👏#WPL2024 #GGvsUPW pic.twitter.com/4EVfntTmPd
— APSY (@Loving_LJF) March 11, 2024
Deepti Sharma in #WPL 2024
Most runs
2nd most wickets
Joint-most 50s
Top of MVP standingsUP might not be in the playoffs but Deepti staking her claim to be POTT
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) March 11, 2024
Shabnam Shakil’s 3 wickets
The 16-year-old prodigy claimed 3 important key wickets, including those of Alyssa Healy, Chamari Athapaththu, and Shweta Sehrawat. She provided a significant hindrance at the start of the innings for UP, claiming two wickets during the powerplay. Fans were mesmerized by such a commendable bowling effort, with some expressing anticipation for her international debut soon.
Shabnam Shakil till now got the wickets of three captains and the way she bowled the 2 overs in this match till now is nothing but beautiful 👏💥✊#WPL2024 #GGvsUPW pic.twitter.com/kRk7JPFoX1
— APSY (@Loving_LJF) March 11, 2024
16 year old kid doing magic.
Man GG on fire.
Only Deepti & Grace Harris can save UPW.#GGvsUPW#TATAWPL— U (@DharaniU8) March 11, 2024
Shabnam Shakil , watched her amazing bowling yesterday in a WIPL match. Thought she is from some other country. But it turns to be, she is an Indian and Telugu girl (From Vizag) and just 16. She is also a member of U19 world cup winning team.
Wishing her a great future. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/BpYK7pQ03A
— ɾɑցհɑѵ (@ThisIsRagh) March 12, 2024
#Shakil will be a very good prospect, the system should invest in her. @BCCIWomen #WPL2024 #GGvsUPW #Cricket
— Woorkeri Raman (@wvraman) March 11, 2024
Playoff’s scenario
Following UP Warriorz’ defeat, attention turned towards the Giants and the Royals, both competing for a spot in the playoffs. Bangalore need to win their upcoming clash against Mumbai to easily qualify while a loss would compel them to rely on net run rate calculations. Fans, anxious yet hopeful, flooded social media with messages of encouragement, rallying behind their teams in the quest for qualification despite UP’s setback.
If RCB won tomorrow vs MI than RCB will Qualify for playoffs because their NRR is good than GG and UPW
— シ︎𝙏𝙀𝙅𝘼𝙎¹⁸ 🇮🇳 (@SaviourKohli) March 11, 2024
UP WARRIORZ LOST…!!!!
Great news for RCB, set to qualify into Play-offs unless they lose so badly vs MI. @RCBTweets#WPL2024 #WPL #WPLT20 #IPL2024 #IPL #TATAIPL2024 #RCBW #MIW #WPL2024 #RCB#SmritiMandhana #RCBW pic.twitter.com/Mld8wSEL77
— Roushan Kumar Bharti (@RoushanKrBharti) March 11, 2024
The Irony of WPL. Both the orange Cap holder and Purple Cap holders are from the UPW team but team has not qualified for the playoffs. 🫠🫠 @wplt20 @BCCI @UPWarriorzWPL
— kanny (@Lepthusmak) March 11, 2024
Race to playoffs is not over yet.#WPL #WPL2024 #CricketTwitter #CricketFever pic.twitter.com/FiHNhf3D9s
— Harshit Pareek (@tribalchief182) March 11, 2024
Playoffs Qualification Scenario for RCB, UPW & GG✅🏏
Follow @cricketgully.official for cricket updates & edits💙🏏#RoyalChallengersBanglore #UPWarriorz #GujaratGiants #PLAYOFFS #WPL2024 #WomensPremierLeague #WPLT20 #India #Cricket #CricketGully pic.twitter.com/2AJLR12BDE
— Official_Arun🇮🇳 (@arun_bokan) March 12, 2024
Few more reactions from the fans –
Asli Secularism Aaj #WPL Mein Dekhne Ko Mili.. What a Match #SabnamShakil Ki Bowling Aur #DeeptiSharma Ki Batting, By God Mujhe Laga Nahi Tha UP 100 Bhi Cross Karenge Par Deepti Aur #PoonamKhemnar Ne Jo ijjat Bachai Hai uske Liye Mad Respect #GGvsUPW
— Abhishek Anand (@mainhugyaani) March 11, 2024
Players who have scored 50s in 3 successive innings in #WPL
Meg Lanning
Beth Mooney
Deepti SharmaDeepti in some very elite company https://t.co/rqhhcbZWx8
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) March 12, 2024
Gujarat Giants Won By 8 Runs!
Beth Mooney 74* Runs 🙌
Laura Wolvaardt 43 Runs 🙌
Shabnam Shakil 3 Wickets 🙌#GujaratGiants | @Giant_Cricket |#GGvUPW | #TATAWPL | #WPL2024 pic.twitter.com/dpGzvHa5YH
— Aneesh (@Aneesh_98) March 11, 2024
Deepti Sharma is now the Orange cap holder and Sophie Ecclestone is the Purple cap holder of the WPL 2024 #DeeptiSharma #SEcclestone #GGvUPW #WPL2024 #Insidesport #CricketTwitter
— Ashish kumar (@ashuisbad) March 11, 2024
