WPL 2025: Gardner's 52 Steers GG to Victory Over UPW
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Synopsis
In WPL 2025, Gujarat Giants secured a six-wicket win over UP Warriorz, with Captain Ashleigh Gardner scoring a vital 52 off 32 balls. The match took place at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, showcasing impressive performances from both teams.
Key Takeaways
- Ashleigh Gardner scored 52 runs off 32 balls.
- Gujarat Giants achieved their first win in WPL 2025.
- Strong bowling by Priya Mishra helped restrict UPW to 143/9.
- Deandra Dottin and Harleen Deol contributed crucial runs in the chase.
- The match was held at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
Vadodara, Feb 16 (NationPress) Captain Ashleigh Gardner achieved a remarkable score of 52 runs off 32 balls as the Gujarat Giants marked their debut victory in WPL 2025 with a six-wicket triumph against UP Warriorz at the Kotambi Stadium on Sunday.
Following an exceptional bowling display spearheaded by leg-spinner Priya Mishra, who took 3 wickets for 25 runs, GG successfully restricted UPW to 143 runs for 9 wickets. The hosts faced early setbacks, finding themselves at 57 for 3 in just 8.3 overs. However, Ashleigh stepped up, scoring a brilliant fifty that included five fours and three sixes.
After Gardner's dismissal, Deandra Dottin played a crucial role with a rapid 33 runs off 18 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes. She was ably supported by Harleen Deol, who contributed an unbeaten 34 runs off 30 balls, including four boundaries, as GG secured their first win while chasing in the WPL.
In pursuit of 144 runs, GG had a rocky start with Beth Mooney getting out for a golden duck on a full toss from Grace Harris. Another setback followed when Dayalan Hemalatha was bowled by Sophie Ecclestone.
Gardner found her rhythm by hitting Kranti Goud for consecutive boundaries, while Laura Wolvaardt also contributed with a boundary against Sophie. Ashleigh struck two sixes off Saima Thakor, and Laura added a third maximum in the same over, resulting in 20 runs from the fifth over.
The partnership of 55 runs for the third wicket ended when Sophie bowled Laura, but Ashleigh continued to punish full tosses with boundaries, including a six over deep square leg to reach her fifty.
Unfortunately, Ashleigh fell to Tahlia McGrath, but Deandra and Harleen showcased excellent batting skills, collectively hitting eight boundaries to conclude the chase with two overs remaining.
Brief Scores: UP Warriorz 143/9 (Deepti Sharma 39, Uma Chetry 24; Priya Mishra 3-25, Deandra Dottin 2-34) lost to Gujarat Giants 144/4 in 18 overs (Ashleigh Gardner 52, Harleen Deol 34 not out; Sophie Ecclestone 2-16, Grace Harris 1-1) by six wickets.
