WPL 2023: ‘Why would you want to bowl with the wet ball?’ – Aakash Chopra after Gujarat Giants' loss to UP Warriorz

Former India opener Aakash Chopra questioned the Gujarat Giants' decision to bat first in their second Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023 match. The Giants posted 169/6 against the UP Warriorz at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, March 5. However, they failed to defend the target as they lost to Warriorz by three wickets.

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra criticized the Gujarat Giants for opting to bat first after winning the toss.

"The thing I found interesting was the decision to bat first after winning the toss. A lot of dew comes - the ball becomes like a bar of wet soap. Why would you want to bowl with the wet ball and especially when the opposition team has four spinners? You want them to bowl with the wet ball and not you, but that's not something that they were thinking," Chopra said.

Aakash Chopra reckons Gujarat Giants should bat second

Chopra also reckons Gujarat Giants were hammered at the hands of the Harmanpreeet Kaur-led Mumbai Indians (MI) in the WPL curtain raiser. 

"They said they were hammered a lot while bowling first in the last match - Mumbai made 200 - so this time we will bat first, we don't want to bat second, although ideally you should bat second,” he added.

Pointing out Kim Garth's (5/36) early strikes with the ball, the 45-year-old said: "They started absolutely brilliantly (while bowling), in which Kim Garth came and picked up wickets one after the other. When Tahlia McGrath got out, it seemed it would be difficult (for UP Warriorz) to win from there."

"Kiran Navgire was very, very good with the bat, hits fours and sixes. After that, wickets fell again but then came Grace Harris, what a player! We got our winner with one ball to spare, the wides were also getting reviewed."

The former opener went on to say about the clash and stated it would be difficult to stop the UP Warriorz if their batting continues to excel. He also mentioned the talent they have in the bowling setup.

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