In a high-stakes WPL 2026 encounter on the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, UP Warriorz speedster Kranti Gaud dismantled the Gujarat Giants prime order with a masterclass in swing bowling. The 22-year-old Indian worldwide, who has change into a breakout star of the 2026 season, took middle stage through the Powerplay to place the Giants on the again foot instantly. Defending their place within the prime three, the Warriorz relied on Gaud’s medical execution to use the early moisture on the floor, leaving the Giants’ star-studded batting lineup trying to find solutions in a must-win fixture.
Kranti Gaud bowls a ‘peach’ to dismiss Danni Wyatt-Hodge in Vadodara
The 14th match of the WPL 2026 noticed a second of pure bowling brilliance within the third over as Kranti produced a supply that may seemingly be remembered as the most effective of the event. Dealing with the aggressive Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who had simply raced to 14 off 8 balls with three crisp boundaries, Gaud delivered an ideal size ball that pitched on a probing line round off-stump. As Wyatt-Hodge appeared to play a regular defensive shot, the ball nipped away ever so barely on the final fraction of a second, beating the skin edge and crashing into the off-pole. The timber sound echoed by means of the stadium because the off-stump was despatched cartwheeling, ending Wyatt-Hodge’s first look of the season prematurely.
Gaud’s celebration, with arms unfold broad, mirrored the importance of the breakthrough, because it halted the Giants’ early momentum at 23/1. She didn’t cease there, persevering with to bother the batters together with her capacity to maneuver the ball each methods. Simply two overs later, she returned to take away Anushka Sharma (14), who was deceived by a cross-seam supply and top-edged a lower to Shweta Sehrawat. By ending her spell with spectacular figures of two/18 in 4 overs, Gaud successfully broke the backbone of the Giants’ prime order. Her efficiency below stress, transferring from a home standout to a World Cup winner and now a WPL match-winner, highlights her speedy ascent as the way forward for the Indian tempo assault.
Absolute Peach 👌
How good was that supply from Kranti Gaud 🤷♀️
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/Nlx8ASrDqO #TATAWPL | #KhelEmotionKa | #GGvUPW | @UPWarriorz pic.twitter.com/YsaxcB10AS
— Ladies’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) January 22, 2026
Additionally READ: Gujarat Giants pacer Titas Sadhu ruled out for the remainder of WPL 2026, replacement announced
WPL 2026: Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney battle as Gujarat Giants put up 153/8 towards UP Warriorz
Regardless of the early wreckage brought on by Kranti, the Gujarat Giants managed to get better to set a goal of 154, due to a resilient middle-order effort. After the early dismissals of Wyatt-Hodge and Anushka, captain Beth Mooney anchored the innings with a gritty 38 off 34 balls, enjoying with warning to regular the ship. Nonetheless, the true momentum shift got here from veteran Sophie Devine, who smashed a sensational 50 off 42 balls, surviving a late run-out scare and a free hit reprieve to succeed in her half-century.
Devine’s power-hitting, notably within the ultimate overs, pushed the Giants to a aggressive 153/8 on a pitch that gave the impression to be slowing down. For Warriorz, Gaud was excellently supported by the world’s number-one bowler, Sophie Ecclestone, who completed with 2/24, whereas Shikha Pandey held her nerve on the demise regardless of some costly late boundaries. The Warriorz now head into a tough chase, needing their prime order to fireplace towards an aggressive Giants bowling assault led by Renuka Singh Thakur.
Additionally READ: WPL 2026: Delhi Capitals’ Lizelle Lee penalised with fine and demerit point following umpire confrontation over her controversial dismissal
This text was first revealed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.
