GG-W vs UP-W [WATCH]: Sophie Ecclestone strikes gold as she uproots Beth Mooney’s off-stump in WPL 2026

2026 edition of the ignited in spectacular fashion at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai this Saturday. In the high-stakes second match of the season, UP Warriorz (UPW) won the toss and elected to field against a powerhouse Gujarat Giants (GG) lineup. While the evening was ultimately defined by a flurry of runs, the defining highlight of the first innings was a moment of pure bowling genius from the world’s top-ranked spinner, Sophie Ecclestone.

The clash between these two heavyweights promised fireworks, and it delivered from the opening over. However, all eyes were on the duel between GG skipper Beth Mooney and UPW’s strike weapon, Ecclestone.

Sophie Ecclestone delivers a cracking ball to dismiss Beth Mooney in WPL 2026

The breakthrough came in the fifth over (4.2) with the Gujarat Giants looking dangerous at 41/0. Mooney, who had reached 13 off 12 balls, looked set to anchor the innings. Enter Ecclestone, delivering from over the wicket, Ecclestone produced a “peach” that perfectly encapsulated her world-class skill.

She landed the ball on a back-of-a-length trajectory, teasingly wide of the off-stump. As Mooney looked to force a pull shot through mid-wicket, the ball gripped the surface, spun back sharply, and skidded through the air with surprising pace. Mooney was completely beaten for speed; her bat was still mid-swing when the off-stump was pegged back. The sight of the woodwork flying sent the Navi Mumbai crowd into a frenzy, marking a clinical start for Ecclestone, who finished her four-over spell with impressive figures of 2/32.

Here’s the video:

Sophie Ecclestone ಸ್ಪಿನ್ ಜಾಲಕ್ಕೆ ಬಿದ್ದ Beth Mooney.🕸️

📺 ವೀಕ್ಷಿಸಿ | | | LIVE NOW | ನಿಮ್ಮ Star Sports ಕನ್ನಡ & JioHotstar ನಲ್ಲಿ.

— Star Sports Kannada (@StarSportsKan)

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Ashleigh Gardner and Anushka Sharma power Gujarat Giants to a massive total

Despite the early loss of Mooney, the Gujarat Giants did not take their foot off the accelerator. The middle-order response was nothing short of a batting masterclass, as they exploited the true bounce of the DY Patil surface to post a daunting total of 207/4 in their allotted 20 overs.

Sophie Devine initially took the mantle, smashing 38 off just 20 balls (including five boundaries and two maximums) before falling to Shikha Pandey. However, the game shifted decisively during the third-wicket partnership between Anushka Sharma and . The duo stitched together a massive 103-run stand that effectively batted the Warriorz out of the contest.

The standout performer, Gardner blazed her way to 65 off 41 balls, hitting four boundaries and six towering sixes. Whereas Anushka played a brilliant supporting role with 44 off 30 balls, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking during the middle overs and at the end of the innings Georgia Wareham provided the final flourish, remaining unbeaten on 27 from just 10 deliveries (SR 270.00).

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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.