Sophie Devine lived a blessed life as the Gujarat Giants broke a three-match losing streak with a commanding 45-run victory over UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League on Thursday.
Coming into the game
under pressure and short of runs — after three consecutive single-digit scores, including a duck in the previous match — the New Zealand all-rounder smashed an unbeaten 50, albeit with the help of some lucky breaks from UPW fielders.
WPL 2026: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants – Highlights
UP Warriorz opted to bowl first and made inroads during the powerplay as early wickets threatened to derail the Gujarat innings. Devine absorbed the pressure with a calm and measured approach. She paced her innings smartly, prioritising placement over power early on before accelerating towards the end. Finishing on 50 not out off 42 balls, including three sixes and two fours, she ensured Gujarat surpassed the 150 mark, which later proved well above par on a slowing surface.
She survived a near run-out early and was dropped on 35 off a no-ball, but she capitalised on these chances. Two clean sixes off Shikha Pandey in the final over sealed her fifty as Gujarat finished on a modest 153/8.
When asked at the end of the match about coming out to bat lower down the order, she said: “I guess I’ve batted a lot and all sorts of different positions, so it’s no biggie for me. So being able to just go down and slot down at number 5, yeah, I guess that’s probably one of the bonuses of having played for so long, is that you can just adjust and I guess adapt to the role that the team needs from you.”
Her impact continued with the ball, as Devine capped a fine all-round performance by claiming 2 for 16 in 3.3 overs. Her controlled seam bowling complemented the efforts of Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Renuka Singh as UP Warriorz were bundled out for just 108.
Other Performer As GG Beat UPW
Veteran left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad excelled in her comeback match, taking 3/16. She decisively turned the game around with her best figures, dismissing Deepti Sharma early in her spell and taking three quick wickets as GG climbed to the second position in the points table, just behind the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who have already secured their qualification.
