Gujarat Giants (GG) captain Ashleigh Gardner delivered a stellar all-round performance to guide her team to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) on Thursday. Gujarat chased down RCB’s target of 126 in just 16.3 overs, marking their second win of the tournament.
After winning the toss, Gujarat Giants chose to field, a decision that paid immediate dividends. RCB’s top order crumbled early, losing three wickets for just 25 runs. England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge departed for 4, dismissed by Deandra Dottin, while Australia’s Ellyse Perry was bowled for a duck by Gardner. RCB captain Smriti Mandhana also struggled, managing only 10 before falling to Tanuja Kanwar.
Despite the shaky start, Kanika Ahuja played a fighting knock, top-scoring with 33 off 28 balls. Raghvi Bist (22) and Georgia Wareham (20) offered some resistance, but RCB continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. The team finished with 125/7 in their 20 overs. Gujarat’s bowling was sharp, with Dottin and Kanwar each claiming two wickets, while Gardner and Kashvee Gautam chipped in with one each.
In response, Gujarat Giants began cautiously but lost Dayalan Hemalatha for 11 early. Beth Mooney followed soon after, and Harleen Deol was dismissed for just 5, leaving Gujarat at 66/3. However, Gardner took charge, smashing 58 off 31 balls with six boundaries and three sixes. She shared a crucial 51-run partnership with Phoebe Litchfield, taking the game out of RCB’s reach.
Gardner was eventually dismissed in the 15th over when Gujarat needed just nine more runs. Litchfield, who remained unbeaten on 30, ensured there were no late stumbles, guiding her team to victory in 16.3 overs.
For RCB, Georgia Wareham and Renuka Singh took two wickets each, but their efforts were insufficient to prevent Gujarat’s commanding chase. Gardner’s explosive batting and key wicket earned her the ‘Player of the Match’ award, reaffirming her status as one of WPL’s top all-rounders.
Brief Scores
RCB: 125/7 (20 overs)
Kanika Ahuja 33 (28), Raghvi Bist 22 (19), Georgia Wareham 20 (21)
Tanuja Kanwar: 2/16, Deandra Dottin: 2/31, Kashvee Gautam: 1/17
GG: 126/4 (16.3 overs)
Ashleigh Gardner: 58 (31), Phoebe Litchfield: 30* (21), Beth Mooney: 17 (20)
Renuka Singh: 2/24, Georgia Wareham: 2/26
With this defeat, RCB dropped from first to third place in the standings, while Mumbai Indians took the top spot, followed by Delhi Capitals. MI and DC will clash on Friday to decide who claims the top position in the WPL standings.
(With ANI inputs)
