The Gujarat Giants (GG) have their Women`s Premier League (WPL 2025) campaign back on track with a clinical performance against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The Gujarat-based side clinched a comprehensive six-wicket win over the defending champions at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on Thursday, February 27.
After electing to field first, the Giants restricted the opposition to 125/7 in 20 overs, courtesy of tidy spells from Tanuja Kanwar, Deondra Dottin, Kashvee Gautam and skipper Ashleigh Gardner. The 27-year-old Kanwar was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 4-0-16-2.
Garnder stole the show with her all-round performances in the crucial encounter, also delivering a stunning knock with the bat. The Australian cricketer hit a fine half-century in the run chase, amassing 58 runs in 31 balls with the help of three sixes and six fours.
Youngster Phoebe Litchfield also chipped in with a quick-fire unbeaten knock of 30 from 21 deliveries, hitting three fours and a solitary six. The Giants went past the target in 16.3 overs, trumping the Royal Challengers in their own backyard.
Garnder was adjudged the Player of the Match for her stellar performance. She lauded the efforts of her bowlers while commenting on the win in the post-match presentation.
“Definitely, in the last couple of game we haven`t batted the way we wanted to but credit goes to the bowlers today. Our bowlers stepped up, chasing a low total gave us the freedom. The first game probably we should have won, we couldn`t defend 200 but today`s win was pleasing. It was nice to win the game and take the positivity forward,” Garnder said.
Hoping that the Giants carry the momentum in the upcoming games, Garnder added:
“We have faced different conditions and now we move on to Lucknow. I guess we have to get better at the powerplay, tonight we lost only one wicket. When we have wickets in hand, it can prove to be pivotal. In the last two games, we lost four wickets in the powerplay and that pushed us on the back foot. We will try being consistent and put more points on the board.”
The Giants will now lock horns with the UP Warriorz at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Monday, March 3. This will be the second contest between the two sides this season. Ashleigh Gardner and Co. will fancy their chances against UP Warriorz, given their six-wicket victory over the side earlier in the edition.
