Mumbai: It looks like the star of luck is yet to rise for the Gujarat Giants (GG) as they faced another defeat in the WPL 2023 on Sunday, a day after their first, against the UP Warriorz (UPW), despite exhibiting a good game.
Riding on Grace Harris shining 59 off 26, not out, UPW made a three-wicket victory over GG in the last over of a thrilling match at the DY Patil Stadium here. Harris powered seven boundaries and three sixes. Kirab Navgire, with a composed 53 off 43, also contributed to the team.
Winning the toss and batting first, Gujarat made a total of 169/6 in 20 overs. GG looked in shape in the field also when pacer Kim Garth took three UPW wickets within the powerplay. But it wasn't GG's day.
After the fall of Navgire and Deepti Sharma, Harris took the wheel and smashed a 6, 4, 4, 4 successions kickstarting the engine of victory.
Sophie Ecclestone seconded her with a 22 off 12, which included a six and a four.
The final over demanded 19 runs, which was perceived as a difficult target. But Harris acted accordingly, while pressure built on GG's Annabel Sutherland, making her bowl two wides outside off. Harris stood firm in her shoes to bring victory to her team.
On Saturday, GG sustained a pathetic loss in the opening game of the inaugural edition of WPL.