Giants Roar Back to Life: Sophie Devine and Rajeshwari Gayakwad Dismantle Warriorz in Vadodara .The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 reached a fever pitch at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara as the Gujarat Giants (GG) finally snapped their haunting three-match losing streak. In a high-stakes encounter on Thursday, January 22, the Giants delivered a masterclass in defensive bowling, defending a modest total of 153/8 to secure a commanding 45-run victory over the UP Warriorz (UPW).
The victory was fueled by a vintage all-round performance from New Zealand legend Sophie Devine, who silenced her critics with a resilient half-century, and a clinical bowling spell by the returning Rajeshwari Gayakwad. With this win, Ashleigh Gardner’s side has not only kept their playoff hopes alive but has also vaulted to the second spot in the points table, trailing only the unbeaten Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Match Summary: At a Glance
| Team | Score | Top Performer (Batting) | Top Performer (Bowling) |
| Gujarat Giants | 153/8 (20) | Sophie Devine (50* off 42) | Rajeshwari Gayakwad (3/16) |
| UP Warriorz | 108 (17.3) | Phoebe Litchfield (32 off 27) | Kranti Gaud (2/18) |
Result: Gujarat Giants Women won by 45 runs.
The First Innings: Devine’s Gritty Rescue Act
The match began with UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning winning the toss and electing to bowl first, a decision influenced by the potential arrival of dew in the second half. The Giants debuted a slightly altered lineup, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge making her first appearance of the season.
A Shaky Start for the Giants
The Giants’ top order, which has struggled for consistency throughout the tournament, faced early turbulence. Danni Wyatt-Hodge (14) looked aggressive but was dismissed within the Powerplay by Kranti Gaud. Soon after, Anushka Sharma fell victim to Gaud’s disciplined line, leaving the Giants at a precarious 43/2.
The pressure intensified when the skipper, Ashleigh Gardner, was bamboozled by a slower delivery from Deepti Sharma, departing for just 5. When the set Beth Mooney (38) mistimed a drive off Sophie Ecclestone to Kiran Navgire, the Giants were reeling at 93/4, staring at another below-par total.
The ‘Devine’ Intervention
Coming off a string of low scores, including a duck in the previous game, Sophie Devine knew she had a point to prove. Initially cautious, she anchored the innings while wickets continued to tumble around her.
Devine survived a dropped catch by Phoebe Litchfield and a no-ball to eventually find her rhythm. In the final over, she shifted gears, launching a brutal assault on Shikha Pandey to bring up her 50 off 42 balls. Her unbeaten knock, featuring three sixes and two fours, propelled Gujarat to 153/8—a total that gave their bowlers a fighting chance.
The Second Innings: The Warriorz’ Collapse
Chasing 154 for victory, the UP Warriorz were expected to leverage their deep batting lineup. However, the Gujarat bowling attack, led by the precision of Renuka Singh Thakur and the guile of Rajeshwari Gayakwad, turned the chase into a nightmare.
Early Setbacks and the Lanning Misfortune
The chase began in the worst possible fashion for UPW. Kiran Navgire was dismissed for a golden duck by Renuka Singh in the very first over. Meg Lanning (14) looked to stabilize the innings, but her stay was cut short by a freak dismissal. A ball from Kashvee Gautam hit her pad and then trickled onto the stumps, leaving the Warriorz captain shell-shocked.
Gayakwad’s Spin Mastery
While Phoebe Litchfield (32) showed some resistance with a few elegant boundaries, the introduction of Rajeshwari Gayakwad changed the complexion of the game. Making a comeback into the side, Gayakwad utilized the flight and turn of the Vadodara surface perfectly.
She dismissed the dangerous Litchfield and followed it up by cleaning up the middle order. Wickets fell like a deck of cards:
Harleen Deol (1)
Deepti Sharma (4)
Sophie Ecclestone (1)
The Warriorz went from 57/2 to 67/5 in a matter of overs, effectively ending any realistic hope of a chase.
The Finishing Blows
Chloe Tryon played a lone hand, scoring a defiant 29, but she ran out of partners. Sophie Devine punctuated her brilliant day by taking the final wicket, castling Kranti Gaud to bowl out the Warriorz for a measly 108 in 17.3 overs.
Key Takeaways and Turning Points
Sophie Devine’s Form: Before this match, Devine’s place in the XI was being questioned. Her 50* and two wickets (2/16) proved she remains one of the most impactful players in world cricket.
The Return of Gayakwad: Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s 3/16 was a reminder of her class. Her ability to read the pitch and slow down the pace was the primary reason the Warriorz’ middle order crumbled.
Fielding Excellence: Despite a few early blips, the Giants’ fielding was sharp. Sophie Devine’s direct-hit run-out of Shikha Pandey was a highlight-reel moment that summed up the Giants’ intensity.
UPW’s Top-Order Woes: For the Warriorz, the over-dependence on Lanning and Litchfield was exposed. The failure of the middle order to rotate strike under pressure remains a significant concern.
Post-Match Reactions
Sophie Devine (Player of the Match):
“It was an interesting game. Once we got over 150, we knew we were competitive. We stayed patient with the ball and didn’t let the pressure off. It feels great to contribute after a few tough games.”
Meg Lanning (UPW Captain):
“We got ourselves into a good position with the ball but let it slip in the end. Full credit to Gujarat; they stuck in there and showed us how to play on this surface. We need to be better with the bat in the middle overs.”
Here is the detailed statistical breakdown for the 14th match of WPL 2026.
Gujarat Giants: Batting Performance
The Giants struggled early but were salvaged by a gritty late-innings charge from Devine.
UP Warriorz: Bowling Figures
Kranti Gaud was the pick of the bowlers early on, but Shikha Pandey took a heavy beating in the death overs.
UP Warriorz: Batting Performance
A catastrophic middle-order collapse saw the Warriorz lose 8 wickets for just 51 runs.
Gujarat Giants: Bowling Figures
The spinners choked the life out of the chase, while Devine polished off the tail.
Stat of the Match
108 All Out: This was the lowest total successfully defended in the 2026 season so far, highlighting the exceptional discipline shown by the Gujarat Giants’ bowling unit under pressure.
What’s Next?
With this victory, the Gujarat Giants have revitalized their campaign and proved they can defend totals even when the conditions favor the chasing side. The UP Warriorz, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly to ensure their mid-season slump doesn’t derail their playoff ambitions.
The race for the top three spots is now wide open, with Gujarat, UP, and Delhi all fighting for the remaining two slots behind the runaway leaders, RCB.