WPL 2026 [WATCH]: Kranti Gaud’s dream delivery sends Danni Wyatt-Hodge packing during GG vs UPW match

In a high-stakes encounter at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, UP Warriorz speedster Kranti Gaud dismantled the Gujarat Giants top order with a masterclass in swing bowling. The 22-year-old Indian international, who has become a breakout star of the 2026 season, took center stage during the Powerplay to put the Giants on the back foot immediately. Defending their position in the top three, the Warriorz relied on Gaud’s clinical execution to exploit the early moisture on the surface, leaving the Giants’ star-studded batting lineup searching for answers in a must-win fixture.

Kranti Gaud bowls a ‘peach’ to dismiss Danni Wyatt-Hodge in Vadodara

The 14th match of the WPL 2026 saw a moment of pure bowling brilliance in the third over as Kranti produced a delivery that will likely be remembered as one of the best of the tournament. Facing the aggressive Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who had just raced to 14 off 8 balls with three crisp boundaries, Gaud delivered a perfect length ball that pitched on a probing line around off-stump. As Wyatt-Hodge looked to play a standard defensive shot, the ball nipped away ever so slightly at the last fraction of a second, beating the outside edge and crashing into the off-pole. The timber sound echoed through the stadium as the off-stump was sent cartwheeling, ending Wyatt-Hodge’s first appearance of the season prematurely.

Gaud’s celebration, with arms spread wide, reflected the significance of the breakthrough, as it halted the Giants’ early momentum at 23/1. She didn’t stop there, continuing to trouble the batters with her ability to move the ball both ways. Just two overs later, she returned to remove Anushka Sharma (14), who was deceived by a cross-seam delivery and top-edged a cut to Shweta Sehrawat. By finishing her spell with impressive figures of 2/18 in four overs, Gaud effectively broke the spine of the Giants’ top order. Her performance under pressure, moving from a domestic standout to a World Cup winner and now a WPL match-winner, highlights her rapid ascent as the future of the Indian pace attack.

Absolute Peach 👌

How good was that delivery from Kranti Gaud 🤷‍♀️

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— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20)

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WPL 2026: Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney battle as Gujarat Giants post 153/8 against UP Warriorz

Despite the early wreckage caused by Kranti, the Gujarat Giants managed to recover to set a target of 154, thanks 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, playing with caution to steady the ship. However, the true momentum shift came from veteran , who smashed a sensational 50 off 42 balls, surviving a late run-out scare and a free hit reprieve to reach her half-century.

Devine’s power-hitting, particularly in the final overs, pushed the Giants to a competitive 153/8 on a pitch that appeared to be slowing down. For Warriorz, Gaud was excellently supported by the world’s number-one bowler, Sophie Ecclestone, who finished with 2/24, while Shikha Pandey held her nerve at the death despite some expensive late boundaries. The Warriorz now head into a tricky chase, needing their top order to fire against an aggressive Giants bowling attack led by Renuka Singh Thakur.

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