In a thrilling WPL showdown against the UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants’ head coach Michael Klinger delivered a powerful message during the drinks break: to ‘fight hard.’ This rallying cry motivated the team to secure a 45-run victory at BCA Stadium, propelling them to second place on the points table.
Sophie Devine shone brightly, scoring an impressive 50 runs off 42 balls, helping GG post a total of 153-8 on a challenging pitch. Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad made a notable comeback, taking 3 wickets for just 16 runs, while Sophie contributed with two wickets of her own. UPW crumbled under pressure, getting bowled out for 108 in just 17.3 overs, allowing GG to snap their three-match losing streak on home turf.
Klinger shared his insights in the post-match press conference, noting the pitch’s unique characteristics: ‘The black soil doesn’t bounce as much, but it came onto the bat quite nicely. To be honest, I felt we were possibly 20 runs short with our batting. A couple of mistakes could have pushed us further.’ He emphasized the team’s spirit, stating, ‘We asked the girls to really go out and fight hard. I’m extremely proud of this group.’