2026 edition Women’s Premier League (WPL) This Saturday, the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai ignited in spectacular fashion. In the second high-stakes match of the season, UP Warriors (UPW) won the toss and elected to field against a powerhouse Gujarat Giants (GG) row. While the evening was ultimately defined by the sheer number of runs, the highlight of the first innings was a moment of pure bowling genius from the world’s top spinner. Sophie Ecclestone.
The clash between these two heavyweights promised fireworks, and it went from opening to closing. However, all eyes were on the duel between the GG skipper Beth Mooney and UPW’s strike weapon, Ecclestone.
Sophie Ecclestone delivers a cracking ball to dismiss Beth Mooney at WPL 2026
The breakthrough came in fifth (4.2). Giants of Gujarat 41/0 looks dangerous. Mooney, who reached 13 off 12 balls, looked ready to anchor the innings. Stepping in, Ecclestone produced a “peach” that perfectly encapsulated his world-class skill, performing from the top of the goal.
He drove the ball off the stumps on a trajectory that was annoyingly wide of a length. When Mooney tried to shoot through the middle of the goal, the ball caught the surface, bounced sharply and glided through the air with surprising speed. Mooney was completely beaten for speed; His bat was still mid-swing when the stump was tightened back. The sight of the woodwork flying sent the Navi Mumbai crowd into a frenzy, a clinical start for Ecclestone who completed his four-over spell with impressive figures of 2/32.
We present the video:
Beth Mooney caught in Sophie Ecclestone’s net.🕸️
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Ashleigh Gardner and Anushka Sharma give Gujarat Giants a massive boost
Despite losing Muni early, Gujarat Giants did not take their foot off the gas pedal. The middle-order reply was nothing short of a batting masterclass as they capitalized on the veritable bounce of DY Patil’s surface to post a formidable 207/4 in their allotted 20 overs.
Sophie Devine took the mantle first, scoring 38 off just 20 balls (including five boundaries and two maximums) before falling. Shikha Pandey. However, the game changed decisively during the partnership between the third cap Anushka Sharma and Ashley Gardner. The duo put together a massive stand of 103 runs which eliminated the Warriors from the competition.
Standout performer Gardner hit 65 off 41 balls, hitting four boundaries and six powerful sixes. Anushka played a brilliant supporting role with 44 off 30 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking during the middle overs and at the end of the innings. Georgia Wareham provided the final flourish remaining unbeaten on 27 off just 10 deliveries (SR 270.00).
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This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
