Devine shines with bat and ball to secure victory
Sophie Devine delivered a masterclass in all-round performance to guide the Gujarat Giants to a commanding 45-run victory over the UP Warriorz in the ongoing WPL 2026. This crucial win at the Vadodara stadium helped the Giants snap their three-match losing streak and jump to the second spot on the points table.
Devine was the architect of the innings, though her start was far from smooth. On a surface that offered little pace, she struggled initially to time the ball. However, showing her trademark resilience, the New Zealand veteran shifted gears in the final overs. She smashed 20 runs off the last seven balls she faced, finishing unbeaten on 50 off 42 deliveries. Her late surge propelled the Gujarat Giants to a competitive total of 153 for 8.
While the Giants battled through a slow middle phase, the UP Warriorz batting lineup completely crumbled under pressure. Chasing 154, they never looked comfortable against a disciplined bowling attack. Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Renuka Singh were exceptional with the ball, while Devine returned to torment the Warriorz with her bowling, claiming two wickets to top the tournament's bowling charts.
UP Warriorz had their moments early in the game with Kranti Gaud bowling an impressive spell, taking two wickets for just 18 runs. She utilized the cracks on the black-soil pitch effectively to trouble the batters. However, the rest of the Warriorz unit could not capitalize on this start.
Luck also seemed to desert the UP side. Captain Meg Lanning fell to a freak dismissal when the ball deflected off her thigh guard and onto the stumps just as she was finding her rhythm. Kiran Navgire and the middle order failed to build partnerships, leading to a collapse where they managed only 50 runs for the loss of six wickets during the middle overs.
With this defeat, UP Warriorz are now in a difficult position, facing a must-win situation in their remaining matches to keep their playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Gujarat Giants will look to carry this winning momentum forward.
