Gujarat Giants secured a commanding 45-run victory over UP Warriorz in the TATA WPL 2026, leaping from fifth to second on the points table. Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Match Centre Live’, JioStar experts Mithali Raj and Veda Krishnamurthy dissected UP Warriorz's batting meltdown, praised Gujarat Giants' disciplined bowling attack, and highlighted their cohesive effort that choked UP Warriorz and boosted playoff hopes.
Mithali Raj analyzed UP Warriorz's batting collapse against Gujarat Giants:
"It was an absolute batting meltdown by UP Warriorz. Panic set in early and lingered throughout the lineup. No partnerships formed after the openers fell—batters lacked intent to stay, rotate strike, or build innings, opting for poor big shots instead. Despite middle-order experience from Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, and Shweta Sehrawat, who've notched 20s, 30s, and even a 50, shot selection was dismal in this game."
On Sophie Devine's match-winning contribution:
"She started solidly but thrived more as an opener usually; in this game, she adapted to a middle-order role amid falling wickets, anchoring one end patiently. In the final over, after Phoebe Litchfield dropped her catch, she capitalized with 16 runs for momentum. Devine proved decisive on both fronts."
On Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s three wicket haul:
“Pick of those wickets was Shweta Sehrawat—Gayakwad beat her completely in the air with some turn, leaving her found wanting. Deepti Sharma misread the line outside off, going for her usual sweep, but the ball kept painfully low. Overall, Rajeshwari Gayakwad truly shone, especially since she lacked chances in the previous match. She was in and out of the side, often restricted to finishing just one innings with four overs. In this game, back after injury and missing international games, she grabbed her opportunity perfectly. She mentioned being thrilled to contribute to the team's victory, and she has every reason to be, performing like this for Gujarat Giants in such a crucial situation."
Veda Krishnamurthy praised Gujarat Giants' disciplined bowling and fielding:
"This win brings massive confidence with so much at stake on the points table. Everyone was bunched at four points, giving them a real chance to break ahead. They bowled as a unit, with top-notch fielding and smart placements that dried up boundaries in the middle overs while picking wickets regularly, choking UP Warriorz more than expected."
