The inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League has started in style with the fans getting to see top players taking on each other in India. In the third match on just the second day of the tournament on March 5, UP Warriorz played against Gujarat Giants at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai and registered a thrilling win as well, courtesy of Kiran Navgire, Grace Harris and others.
After opting to bat first, the Giants posted a decent total of 169/6 in the first innings. In reply, the Warriorz lost three wickets early but Kiran Navgire steadied their innings with a brilliant fifty. Apart from her scintillating shots, what caught the eyes of the fans was the name of former India captain and veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni written on her bat as well.
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However, Kiran Navgire had written ‘MSD 07’ on the backside of the shoulder of her bat with a marker, as she played a stunning knock of 53 off 43 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes to help her side win in the match. The image of Navgire’s bat is being shared all over social media as the world is getting to know about her admiration for the legendary MS Dhoni.
'Kuch kuch hota hai Mahi, tum nahi samjhoge!'
Kiran Navgire of the @UPWarriorz dreamt of hitting winning sixes after witnessing #Dhoni's famous shot in WC 2011. She's since become a run machine herself.. and gets inspired each time she takes guard! 😇 #CheerTheW #TATAWPL pic.twitter.com/46ZvxdytlM
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) March 6, 2023
As far as the match is concerned, the Warriorz were struggling at a score of 105/7 after 15.4 overs. However, a match-winning unbeaten partnership of 70 runs off just 26 balls between all-rounders Grace Harris and Sophie Ecclestone sealed the deal. With 63 needed from the last 24 balls, everyone thought that the Giants will win but Grace Harris played a blistering knock of 59* off 26 balls and took her team to the finish line.
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Grace Harris, Player of the Match said after te match: “I started poorly. You need to get the conditions to know how to play. Was thankful that Sophie motored along. Great feeling to finish the game off. I actually knew what I wanted to do. Was getting a bit antsy when there were so many breaks with the DRS at the end. I was just really psyched to get out there and have a bat. Have trained a lot. Love batting with a bit of freedom. Healy, the coach supports any decision. She is a clean striker (Sophie). There was a little bit of confusion towards the end, when the ump walked over to say the DRS has gone down. It was a good bit of fun. Don’t know where I’ll find some burgers in India. Maybe some butter chicken.”
