MUMBAI: Gujarat Giants were defeated by UP Warriorz in the WPL 2023 opener on Sunday at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. With a spectacular 26-ball 59*, Grace Harris gave the Warriorz a thrilling three-wicket victory. Kiran Navgire also provided crucial support work with a cool-headed 43-ball 53.

The UP Warriorz struggled to 35/3 in the Powerplay while pursuing 170. Kim Garth, a GG pacer, performed a swing bowling masterclass. She gave GG a great start by having the potentially harmful In the third over, Tahlia McGrath was caught at slip, Alyssa Healy was caught and bowled, Shweta Sehrawat was caught at short third man.

Then, along with Deepti Sharma, Kiran Navgire gave the UPW innings some momentum and consistency. Navgire successfully balanced aggression and caution as she reached her fifty off 40 balls.

The 68-run partnership was ultimately broken when Mansi Joshi cleaned up Sharma with an inswinger. Navgire was caught behind by Garth off a short delivery later in the game, and she then dismissed Simran Shaikh with the very next ball to record the second five-wicket haul of the WPL.

Harris flipped the script and hammered 6, 4, 4, 4 to resurrect the chase just as it seemed as though the Giants were the favourites. Ecclestone contributed with a four and a six as well, helping UPW score 44 runs off just three overs (17 to 19). The final solution was 19 off of six balls. The final over was bowled by Sutherland, and Harris hit the opening ball for a six over deep mid-wicket. The following ball was bowled by Sutherland, and it was called a WIDE; GG reviewed the call, but it was upheld.

Harris then lofted the following ball straight down the middle for a four before flicking one to the leg side for a pair. After a successful review by the UPW, Sutherland next bowled one wide outside off again, and it was called a wide. When she needed five runs off three balls, Harris came through with a flourish. She lofted one over cover for a four to reach fifty off only 25 balls, and then hammered the following one over deep square leg for a six to seal the victory for UPW and set off raucous celebrations.

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