WPL 2023, Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz, Match 17: Best memes from the game

UP Warriorz won the match by three wickets and qualified for the playoffs.

Published - 20 Mar 2023, 19:06 IST | Updated - 20 Mar 2023, 19:04 IST

9 Min Read

A thrilling last-over encounter between Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz saw the latter winning the match on the penultimate delivery and eventually qualifying for the playoffs of the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League.

Batting first, Gujarat Giants started slowly as openers Sophia Dunkley (23) and Laura Wolvaardt (17) once again failed to make a mark. Harleen Deol (4) went back to the pavilion rather cheaply and thus, the entire responsibility fell on middle-order batters Dayalan Hemalatha and Ashleigh Gardner.

Notably, the duo played some remarkable cricket in bailing the Giants out of a difficult situation. Dayalan took some time to settle in but once she got used to the conditions, the 28-year-old was difficult to stop as she scored 57 off 33 deliveries. The number-one ranked all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner on the other hand wreaked havoc, scoring 60 off 39 deliveries.

She is known as one of the most ferocious strikers of the ball and in the match against UP, the Aussie international proved that. The all-rounder is in terrific form at the moment but would be gutted about missing out on the all-important WPL playoffs.

When it comes to the chase, UP had a very poor start with all three of their top-order batters getting out in the powerplay. However, Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris took control of the situation and played some phenomenal cricket to help UP win the match and qualify for the playoffs of the competition.

Tahlia McGrath smashed 57 off 38 deliveries while Grace Harris hit 72 off 41 deliveries. After the duo got out, there was a lot of tension among supporters but Sophie Ecclestone (19* runs off 13 deliveries) held her nerves in the final over to register an all-important win. With that, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Giants are officially eliminated from the competition as Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz will now battle it out for the ultimate prize in the playoffs.