Gujarat Giants (GG) returned to winning ways in style, snapping a three-match losing streak with a convincing 45-run victory over UP Warriorz (UPW) in Match 14 of the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. A brilliant all-round performance led by Sophie Devine and a disciplined bowling effort guided the win, taking GG to second place on the points table.

Asked to bat after winning the toss, GG got off to a strong start with 38/1 after four overs, despite losing Danielle Wyatt-Hodge early to a peach of a delivery from Kranti Gaud. The UPW bowlers, particularly Kranti Gaud and Sophie Ecclestone, then kept the GG batters in check for the most part of the rest of the innings.

Only 57 runs came off the next nine overs, with Mooney also walking back (38 off 34) after a good start, and GG were placed at 95/4 after 13 overs. Wickets kept falling at one end, but GG’s innings was built around a crucial anchor role played by the in-form Devine, who registered an unbeaten 50 runs off 42 balls (2x4, 3x6), riding her luck along the way.

She was dropped by Phoebe Litchfield earlier in her innings, then caught by Litchfield off a no-ball in the final over of the innings, during which she smashed two crucial sixes to carry GG to 153/8 after 20 overs.

In pursuit of 154, UPW’s chase never truly took off. They lost their openers, including captain Meg Lanning, to bizarre and identical dismissals, respectively, inside the powerplay.

Phoebe Litchfield offered a glimmer of hope with a quickfire 32 off 27 deliveries, but her dismissal to Ashleigh Gardner marked the beginning of a collapse. The turning point came with the introduction of left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who was the standout bowler of the night. Gayakwad's impeccable control and flight on a helpful surface yielded a match-winning spell of 3/16 from four overs, restricting the UPW middle order and earning her the Player of the Match award.

Sophie Devine capped off her stellar night by taking two wickets to wrap up the innings, and thus took the lead in the Purple Cap leaderboard, as UPW were bundled out for just 108 runs in 17.3 overs.

This comprehensive victory not only revitalized GG’s campaign, but also gave them a significant boost in net run rate and confidence as the league stage enters its critical phase. Now left at the bottom of the points table, UPW will need to win both their remaining matches to have a chance of qualifying for the playoffs.