WPL 2025: GG Captain Gardner Emphasizes Need for Stronger Opening Partnership After MI Defeat
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Synopsis
Gujarat Giants' captain Ashleigh Gardner highlighted the need for a solid opening partnership after a five-wicket loss to Mumbai Indians in WPL 2025. MI chased down a target of 121 with 23 balls remaining, showing the need for improvement in GG's batting strategy.
Key Takeaways
- Gujarat Giants need stronger opening partnerships.
- GG's batsmen struggled against MI's bowling attack.
- Ashleigh Gardner acknowledges the need for quick adjustments.
- Positives exist despite the defeat, with younger players stepping up.
- MI's successful chase demonstrates effective batting strategy.
Vadodara, Feb 18 (NationPress) The captain of Gujarat Giants (GG), Ashleigh Gardner, highlighted the critical need for a robust opening partnership following her team’s five-wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) at the Kotambi Stadium this Tuesday. Mumbai Indians successfully chased down GG’s target of 121, winning with 23 balls remaining.
"We lost wickets in clusters. We rely heavily on our top order to contribute significantly to the score, but it just didn’t happen (tonight). The pitch behaved differently compared to the previous two, yet I believe we didn't adapt quickly enough. It appeared to play a bit faster in the first ten overs, and there was some turn when the spinners bowled slowly," Gardner stated post-match.
GG’s opening pair, Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney, faced difficulties gaining momentum as MI’s bowlers restricted them effectively. Mooney fell for a mere 1 in the second over, courtesy of Nat Sciver-Brunt, with Wolvaardt soon departing for 4, caught at deep extra cover off Shabnim Ismail.
The early losses left GG struggling, and despite a valiant 32 from Harleen Deol, they only posted 120 before being dismissed in 20 overs.
In addition to Matthews’ impressive three-wicket haul, Amelia Kerr and Nat Sciver-Brunt also played pivotal roles in GG’s downfall. Kerr secured two wickets for 22 runs, while Sciver-Brunt added another two for 26, taking out both Mooney and Deol.
"They bowled excellently, and we failed to adjust quickly. (Discussions ahead of the next match) We have a nice little break ahead of us. Plenty of time to reset. We've been focusing on resetting and tackling each game individually. There are many positives from our first three matches; we could have won two. Various players have risen to the occasion at different times, and it’s fantastic to witness the younger players stepping up as well. The passion they exhibit while bowling is remarkable, and their celebrations are truly special to lead them, knowing they are giving their utmost effort.
The chase by Mumbai began cautiously, as Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia dealt with GG's tight bowling. Matthews, after striking an initial boundary off Gardner, faced challenges against Tanuja Kanwer’s spin before gaining some rhythm. However, she fell for 17, caught by Harleen Deol at square leg.
Sciver-Brunt then took control, scoring a match-winning 57 off 39 balls. Despite losing wickets around her, including skipper Harmanpreet Kaur for just four runs, she maintained MI's momentum. She reached her fifty in style with consecutive boundaries off Gardner, ultimately playing one onto her stumps off Priya Mishra.
Sajeevan Sajana and G. Kamalini finished the match decisively, with Sajana hitting a one-handed boundary over covers to clinch the victory in 16.1 overs.
