🏏 WPL 2024: Match 18: GG W vs UP W at Delhi🏏 - Page 9

They left themselves with too much to do at the death, though, and could not muster the boundaries they need to keep themselves realistically in the hunt for the playoffs. The Warriorz will also be left ruing the number of runs they conceded towards the end of their bowling innings and the two let-offs they accorded Mooney, who ultimately got the Giants to a 150-plus total.

This performance was perhaps a summation of their season too. They were good in parts, and at times, looked very close to sealing the deal. But just when it mattered, they could not hold their nerve and they are now left waiting for a miracle, hoping that RCB lose by a MASSIVE margin tomorrow.

Hats off to Deepti Sharma for her spirit but UPW fall just short. It looked such a long way away when they slipped to 4/3 and 16/5 but Deepti never gave up. She found an able partner in Poonam Khemnar who did her bit too. An unbroken stand of 109 nearly pulled it off but Gujarat managed to hold their nerve. It all came down to little moments in the end - the 18th over by Meghna Singh who conceded just three was one and then in the last over, after hitting a six, Deepti decided to take the run when she was better off being on strike. That's how this T20 games go - small margins can win or lose you a game. But looking at the larger picture, the game was practically done when the top order was blown away. Healy and Chamari decided to attack from the get-go and gave away their wickets in the 1st over which was a huge turning point. Gujarat though will be happy as they still have a chance to go to the playoffs. For UPW their campaign is all but over and they now will have to rely on other results.

Alyssa Healy | UP Warriorz captain: Deepti played an outstanding knock to get us close. We did feel if we take it deep we could win, disappointing outing tonight. I probably tried to take it on too early, didn't pay off tonight. Reflect on that, move on and hopefully be better. Now we are in the hands of couple of other teams, Summed up our season, haven't been consistent enough. So many amazing players in this team that have put their hands up, which in the amazing thing. Just inconsistent (on how she would reflect on the season). Top two sides have been really good. We will learn from it and do well next year.

Deepti Sharma: Not happy - I'm part of the losing team. We gave too many runs in the last over which cost us. I changed my mindset while batting, choose the right ball and bat positively. Earlier I was a finisher, but they trusted me. I can play in any position, I can play for the team anywhere.

Siddhant: "Do you have any approximations of how much RCB can afford to lose by to still qualify?" -- For example, if MI score 150, then RCB will have to get bowled out for 90 or less for their NRR to go below that of the Warriorz...

Beth Mooney | Gujarat captain: After the last few games, we stuck to the situation and gave the fans something to watch. It's a little stressful but nice for the fans. We let them back into the game, 150 was not a great score, it was an OK score if we bowled well and Shabnam was outstanding upfront. I don't know a whole heap about bowling, I love her energy and she has got a bright future and thought why not bowl her 4 upfront. Max is a happy coach and I'm happy as a skipper. Hopefully, Delhi are a strong team and I'm sure it will be another close contest.

Shabnam Shakil | Player of the Match (translated from Hindi): I'm feeling really happy. To perform on such a platform. I learnt a lot from my U-19 days and that experience I applied here. Last year I spoke a lot to Mushi and Mithali maam and that helped. I love bowling with the new-ball. I was getting boosted up by the new-ball and I was enjoying it. The basic plan was to hit the top of off-stump and that's what I did. This is top of my list as this is my first award in such a top platform.

Congratulations to GG for winning the match.

Congratulations to Shabnam MD for winning the PoTM award.

Cheers..

Congratulations to GG for winning the match.

Hats off to Deepti Sharma for her spirit, but UPW fall just short.