WPL 2023: UP Warriorz’s Kiran Navgire uses bat with ‘MSD 07’ written on it, picture goes viral

Kiran Navgire (Photo Source: Jio Cinema)

The T20 fever has taken over the entire country as the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League has kicked off in style with the fans getting to see top women cricketers in action in India. In the third match on just the second day of the tournament on March 5, UP Warriorz were up against Gujarat Giants at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai.

After opting to bat first, the Giants posted a challenging total of 169/6 in the first innings. In reply, the Warriorz lost three wickets early but Kiran Navgire stabilized their innings with a brilliant fifty. Apart from her scintillating shots, what caught the attention of the fans was the name of former India captain and legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni written on her bat.

Navgire had written ‘MSD 07’ on the backside of the shoulder of her bat with a marker, as she played a magnificent innings of 53 off 43 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes to keep her side alive in the match. The image of Navgire’s bat is being widely shared all over the social media as the world is getting to know about her admiration for MS Dhoni.

Coming back to the match, despite Navgire’s innings, the Warriorz were staring down the barrel at a score of 105/7 after 15.4 overs. However, as it’s said that it ain’t over until the fat lady sings. Warriorz once again proved the proverb to be true as they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat courtesy of a match-winning unbeaten partnership of 70 runs off just 26 balls between all-rounders Grace Harris and Sophie Ecclestone.

Grace Harris scripts an improbable win for UP Warriorz

With 63 needed from the last 24 balls, everyone thought that the Giants will finally register their first win of the season, having lost their campaign opener against Mumbai Indians. However, Grace Harris had other plans as she played a blistering knock of 59* off 26 balls smacking seven fours and three sixes in her innings.

She got great support from Ecclestone who remained unbeaten on 22 off 12 balls. Both batters turned the game on its head with their incredible partnership and took their team home one the penultimate delivery of the contest.