NEW DELHI: Sophie Devine’s calm unbeaten half-century, followed by a disciplined bowling effort, guided Gujarat Giants to a convincing 45-run win over UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League on Thursday.

Finding her rhythm again, Devine held the innings together with a composed 50 not out as Gujarat recovered from early trouble to post a modest 153/8 after UP Warriorz chose to bowl.

The Giants then delivered a collective bowling performance to skittle the Warriorz for just 108 in 17.3 overs, snapping a three-match losing streak and getting back to winning ways.

For Gujarat, left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad led the charge on her comeback, finishing with impressive figures of 3/16. Devine chipped in with 2/16 from 3.3 overs, while Renuka Singh claimed 2/20 as Gujarat moved up to second on the table, behind already-qualified Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Warriorz crumble in chase

Chasing 154, UP Warriorz never quite found their footing as early wickets put them on the back foot. Kiran Navgire’s struggles continued when she overbalanced and was stumped off a wide in the opening over, departing for a golden duck.

Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield attempted to steady the innings, but Lanning’s luck deserted her as she fell for 14 after a deflection sent the ball back onto the stumps, leaving the hosts under pressure inside the powerplay.

Ashleigh Gardner then broke the stand by removing Litchfield for 32, while Harleen Deol’s poor run continued with a laboured 3 off 12 balls.

Rajeshwari soon took control, dismissing Deepti Sharma early and striking three times in quick succession as the Warriorz slid to 93/7.

Devine completed a fine all-round display by accounting for her New Zealand teammate Sophie Ecclestone, effectively sealing the result as UP slumped to 94/8 inside 16 overs.

Middle-overs squeeze sets the tone

Earlier, Devine had shown composure under pressure, steering Gujarat to what turned out to be a more-than-competitive total.

Coming into the match after three consecutive single-digit scores, including a duck in the previous game, the New Zealand veteran made her opportunity count, finishing unbeaten on 50 from 42 balls with three sixes and two fours.

She survived a close run-out early and was later dropped on 35 off a no-ball, before making UP pay by smashing two sixes off Shikha Pandey in the final over to push Gujarat past the 150 mark, even though the total was around 20 runs short of what their brisk start had promised.

Gujarat had raced along at over nine an over in the powerplay, but the Warriorz bowlers clawed things back smartly through the middle.

Pacer Kranti Goud impressed with the new ball, returning 2/18 and removing Danni Wyatt-Hodge for 14, while Ecclestone kept things tight early, conceding just three runs in her first over.

Lanning rotated her spin options well as Deepti Sharma, Ecclestone, Chloe Tryon and Asha Sobhana applied the squeeze in the middle overs.

Deepti cleaned up Gujarat skipper Gardner for 5, Ecclestone dismissed Beth Mooney after her steady 38 off 34 balls, and Tryon sent back Kanika Ahuja for 6 as pressure mounted.

Between the 13th and 16th overs, Gujarat failed to find the boundary and lost wickets regularly, but Devine’s late flourish ensured they had enough on the board.

Despite reaching 52/2 in the powerplay, Gujarat struggled to maintain momentum before Devine’s finishing touch delivered a competitive total.

(With PTI Inputs)