Giants vs Warriorz WPL 2025: Beth Mooney’s Masterclass Seals Crushing 81-Run Win
In a high-stakes Giants vs Warriorz clash at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium, the Gujarat Giants delivered a commanding performance to thrash the UP Warriorz by 81 runs in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 96 and a clinical bowling display propelled Gujarat to second place in the standings, while UP Warriorz slumped to fifth. This blog breaks down the key moments, player performances, and tactical insights from this pivotal encounter.
Giants vs Warriorz: Match Preview & Context
The Stakes for Both Teams
- UP Warriorz: Playing their first home game in Lucknow, they aimed to leverage local support but faced pressure to improve their middle-order consistency.
- Gujarat Giants: Struggling with inconsistent form, they sought a win to revive their playoff hopes.
Pre-Match Analysis
- UP’s Batting Woes: Over-reliance on Grace Harris and Chinelle Henry; middle-order collapse in 24/27 overs (source: ESPN ).
- Gujarat’s Strengths: Balanced squad with firepower in Mooney, Gardner, and Dottin.
Giants vs Warriorz: Match Highlights
Scorecard Summary
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat Giants | 186/5 (20 overs) | Won by 81 runs |
| UP Warriorz | 105 all out (17.1 overs) | lost |
Key Performers:
- Beth Mooney (GG): 96* (59 balls, 17 fours)
- Harleen Deol (GG): 45 (38 balls)
- Kashvee Gautam (GG): 3/11 (3 overs)
- Chinelle Henry (UPW): 28 (14 balls)
Giants vs Warriorz: Full Match Breakdown
1. Powerplay Dominance: Mooney & Deol Lay the Foundation
Opting to bat first, Gujarat lost opener Dayalan Hemalatha (2) early, but Beth Mooney and Harleen Deol rebuilt with a 101-run partnership.
Mooney’s Innings Breakdown
- Phase 1 (0–10 overs): 67 runs off 41 balls, targeting UP’s pace duo Henry and Ecclestone.
- Phase 2 (11–20 overs): 29 runs off 18 balls, accelerating against spinners.
- Key Shots: 12 boundaries through covers, 5 down the ground.
Deol’s Supporting Role
- Rotating Strike: 23 singles, 5 fours.
- Dismissal: Clean-bowled by Sophie Ecclestone in the 12th over.
Turning Point: Deol’s dismissal brought Deandra Dottin (17 off 8) and Ashleigh Gardner (11 off 7), who added 45 runs in the death overs.
2. UP Warriorz’s Batting Collapse: A Tale of Two Overs
Chasing 187, UP Warriorz crumbled to 36/5 in 8 overs, with Deandra Dottin and Kashvee Gautam wreaking havoc.
Dottin’s Double Strike (1st Over)
- Kiran Navgire (0): Trapped LBW by an inswinger.
- Georgia Voll (0): Edged to slips, exposing UP’s fragile top order.
Gautam’s Precision (4th Over)
- Vrinda Dinesh (1): Bowled by a seaming delivery.
- Deepti Sharma (5): Caught at mid-wicket, reducing UP to 29/4.
Middle-Order Meltdown:
- Grace Harris (25) and Chinelle Henry (28) offered brief resistance.
- Tanuja Kanwar’s 3/17: Removed Henry and tailenders to seal the game.
Tactical Analysis: Why Gujarat Dominated
Batting Strategy
- Mooney’s Aggressive Start: Targeted UP’s pace in powerplay, scoring 53/1.
- Harleen’s Anchoring: Stabilized the innings with risk-free singles.
- Death Overs Surge: 68 runs in last 5 overs, exploiting UP’s wayward bowling.
Bowling Execution
- Dottin’s Swing: Early breakthroughs destabilized UP’s chase.
- Spin Trio (Kanwar, Gardner, Gautam): Combined figures of 7/37 in 9 overs.
- Field Placements: Aggressive slips and deep mid-wicket traps for Henry.
UP Warriorz’s Mistakes
- Team Selection: Dropping Tahlia McGrath for Georgia Voll backfired.
- Batting Approach: 5 batters scored ≤ 5 runs; Harris lacked support.
Post-Match Reactions & Insights
Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Captain)
“Mooney’s innings was pure class. We’ve worked on partnerships, and tonight it clicked. The bowlers executed perfectly.”
Deepti Sharma (UP Warriorz Captain)
“Losing early wickets cost us. Our top order needs to step up. We’ll regroup for the next game.”
Beth Mooney (Player of the Match)
“Harleen and I focused on rotating strike. The pitch eased up later, but 186 felt defendable.”
Playoff Implications & Updated Standings
WPL 2025 Points Table
| Team | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi Capitals | 8 | +1.45 |
| Gujarat Giants | 6 | +0.89 |
| Mumbai Indians | 6 | +0.72 |
| UP Warriorz | 4 | -0.34 |
Key Takeaways:
- Gujarat leapfrogged Mumbai Indians, boosting their NRR.
- UP Warriorz need 3 wins from 4 games to qualify.
Historical Context: Mooney’s 96* in WPL History
Top Individual Scores in WPL
| Player | Score | Team | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 103* | Mumbai Indians | 2023 |
| Meg Lanning | 99 | Delhi Capitals | 2024 |
| Beth Mooney | 96* | Gujarat Giants | 2025 |
Mooney’s Milestone:
- Fifth WPL fifty, second of 2025.
- 17 boundaries without a six—showcasing precision over power.
Fan Reactions & Social Media Buzz
Twitter Highlights
- @CricketFanatic: “Mooney’s cover drives are pure poetry! 🔥 #GiantsvsWarriorz”
- @WPLLover: “UP’s batting needs a miracle. #WarriorzCollapse”
- @SportsAnalyst: “Gujarat’s bowling attack is the dark horse of WPL 2025. #GGvsUPW”
Poll: Who Was the MVP?
- Beth Mooney (89%)
- Kashvee Gautam (8%)
- Deandra Dottin (3%)
Upcoming Fixtures & Predictions
Gujarat Giants’ Next Match
- Opponent: Delhi Capitals (March 6, 2025)
- Key Focus: Containing Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma.
UP Warriorz’s Road Ahead
- Must-Win Games: vs Mumbai Indians (March 7), Royal Challengers Bangalore (March 10).
- X-Factor: Grace Harris’ power-hitting in death overs.
Final Thoughts
The Giants vs Warriorz clash underscored Gujarat’s resurgence and UP’s ongoing struggles. With Beth Mooney in sublime form and their bowlers firing, the Giants are now serious playoff contenders. For UP Warriorz, addressing top-order fragility is critical ahead of must-win fixtures.
Read about Ind vs Aus semifinal 2025
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