UP Warriorz suffered a setback in their opening match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, falling to Gujarat Giants in what mentor Lisa Sthalekar described as a game where they “left 30-40 runs out there.” Despite a promising start, UPW struggled to maintain momentum and posted a below-par total of 143/9.
After being put in to bat, Kiran Navgire provided early fireworks, striking three boundaries within the first two overs. However, her dismissal at the end of the second over triggered a series of setbacks. While captain Deepti Sharma anchored the innings with a 27-ball 39, the rest of the batting lineup found it difficult to accelerate. Gujarat Giants’ bowlers kept striking at regular intervals, preventing UPW from setting a challenging total.
Despite the modest target, UP Warriorz made early inroads with Grace Harris and Sophie Ecclestone claiming quick wickets. However, Ashleigh Gardner’s counter-attacking half-century turned the game in Gujarat Giants’ favor. Her efforts, combined with an unbeaten 58-run stand between Deandra Dottin and Harleen Deol, secured a comfortable victory for Gujarat with two overs to spare.
Sthalekar’s Assessment: Missed Runs and Costly Overs
Sthalekar acknowledged that the team fell short of their potential, emphasizing that losing wickets in clusters hurt them significantly. “Losing wickets in clumps at the top and then in the middle really hurt us,” she said. “Deepti played well, and Alana King and Saima Thakor contributed at the end to get us to 140, but we needed more.”
She also pointed out the trend of expensive overs early in the innings, which has been a common theme in the tournament so far. “When a bowler gets hit early on, a couple of overs can go for big runs, and we had too many of those given the below-par total we put on the board,” she added.
Positives for UP Warriorz Despite the Loss
Despite the defeat, Sthalekar remained optimistic. She highlighted key performances, particularly praising Krant Goud’s debut and Alana King’s late contributions. “There are always positives. Krant looked good with the ball, she has that extra pace. Alana King added crucial runs, though she’ll be disappointed with her bowling execution. And Deepti Sharma showed real fight,” she said.
Sthalekar also stressed the importance of moving on quickly in a tournament like the WPL, where matches come in quick succession. “With these tournaments, you’ve got to park this performance and focus on the next game in a couple of days.”
Deepti Sharma’s Leadership and Form
Leading the side for the first time, Deepti Sharma impressed Sthalekar with her all-round performance. She believes the added responsibility of captaincy has only made Deepti more determined.
“Sometimes, when given a leadership role, players start focusing on the team more than themselves. Yet, she has performed exceptionally well with both bat and ball,” Sthalekar noted. “She’s in a good run of form, and sometimes in T20 cricket, a bit of luck goes a long way.”
UP Warriorz will now look to bounce back in their upcoming fixture, learning from their mistakes while building on their strengths. With a strong leader in Deepti Sharma and a talented squad, they remain a formidable side in WPL 2025.
