Beth Mooney 74*, Shabnam three-for keep Gujarat Giants' faint playoff hopes alive
In reply, Deepti Sharma hit 88* and added 109 with Poonam Khemnar, but UP Warriorz fell short in the final over
In reply, Deepti Sharma hit 88* and added 109 with Poonam Khemnar, but UP Warriorz fell short in the final over
Scorer: Sudeep Poojar | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
11pm And that is a wrap. The Warriorz are still alive, although barely. They need RCB to lose by a big margin tomorrow if they are to spring back into contention. The Giants, somehow, are in contention too. Lots of permutations (of course) because what good will a WPL season be without it, eh?
Fair to say that tomorrow's game between the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bangalore is now monumentally important. And we will be back to bring you all the action. Till then, this is goodbye from all of us here at ESPNcricinfo. Goodnight and take care!
Beth Mooney, Gujarat Giants captain: In the last few games, we have hopefully given the fans something. Stressful to be a part of. (On if she felt the score was enough) When they were 30-5, definitely. 150 wasn't a great score, it was an okay score. Shabnam was outstanding up front. I don't know a whole heap of bowling, so won't give her a lot of advice. She has an amazing attitude and she has a bright future. They (the batters) had not seen much of her, so gave her the new ball. Good for the group to galvanize together and win before the tournament gets over. Delhi is a strong team and it will be an amazing game.
Shabnam Shakil is the Player of the Match: I am feeling very happy. This is a big platform to perform for me, playing against such big players. From the U-19 level, I have learnt a lot. I have tried to use that experience, even in the first season of the WPL. Took feedback from my coaches as well and tried to implement it. (On bowling with the new ball) I love bowling with the new ball. I was feeling very energized while bowling. (On the ball that got Sehrawat out) Our basic plan was to bowl the top of off stump, so I was just bowling to my plan.
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...
Alyssa Healy, UP Warriorz captain: (On Deepti Sharma) Another outstanding knock to get us as close as she did. A disappointing night overall. Looked to take it on a little bit too early but that is what we do. Did not pay off tonight. Will reflect on that and move on, and probably be better. We are now in the hands of a couple of other teams, which we were anyway. Perhaps sums up our season. (On Khemnar) There is so many amazing players in this team that have put their hands up. That is the most pleasing thing. Nice to see her get out there and strike a few tonight. (On the season) Just inconsistent. The top two sides have been really good for most of the tournament. We have let ourselves down definitely in the field and by not cashing in when need be. If we don't make the finals this year, we will be better (next year).
Deepti Sharma: (On not making it over the line tonight) Obviously not happy because I am part of the losing team. We gave too many runs in the last over and that cost us. (On her batting) I just changed my mindset while batting. I wanted to play positive cricket and was trying to choose the right ball. (On what position she prefers) I can play in any situation and any place, I don't think about any position specifically. I can play for the team (in any position).
10:38pm Another fabulous game of cricket. The Giants, for much of the run-chase, were in control, largely because of Shakil's new-ball exploits. She picked up three in her spell and pegged the Warriorz back early. Deepti and Khemnar, though, led their recovery, stitching together a 109-run partnership that almost got them those two vital points. The former, in particular, played her best WPL knock, finishing unbeaten on 88 off 60 balls.
The Warriorz 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.
A legal ball and the Giants will be home
10 off 2. What does Meghna do?
16 off 3. Warriorz need a six, right about now
Khemnar back on strike. Can she produce a moment(s) of magic?
18 off 5 now
24 needed off 6. Deepti on strike. Keeper back
Shabnam's swing, at pace, has earned her four wickets in WPL 2024 so far, and three of them are of Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alyssa Healy and Chamari Athapaththu
In reply, Deepti Sharma hit 88* and added 109 with Poonam Khemnar, but UP Warriorz fell short in the final over