Punjab Newsline, Sports :
Captain Ashleigh Gardner and debutant Anushka Sharma stitch a match-defining 103-run stand as Gujarat Giants dominate with the bat in Navi Mumbai
Gujarat Giants delivered a dominant batting performance to post a formidable 207/4 against UP Warriorz in the second match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on Saturday. A scintillating 103-run partnership between skipper Ashleigh Gardner and debutant Anushka Sharma laid the foundation for the Giants’ imposing total.
Put in to bat after losing the toss, Gujarat had a cautious start as openers Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney were tested early by disciplined bowling from Kranti Gaud. Devine soon found her rhythm, attacking Shikha Pandey for 14 runs in the second over and maintaining the momentum through the Power-play. The Warriorz struck back in the fifth over when Sophie Ecclestone removed Mooney for 13, and Devine followed soon after, departing for 38.
At number three, Anushka Sharma ensured Gujarat did not lose momentum. Showing remarkable composure on debut, she found boundaries early and rotated the strike efficiently with Gardner. The young Madhya Pradesh batter raced to 30 off just 20 balls and kept the scoreboard ticking with confident stroke play. Anushka narrowly missed a half-century, scoring an impressive 44 off 30 deliveries before being caught at long-on off Deandra Dottin in the 16th over.
Captain Gardner initially anchored the innings before launching a fierce assault in the middle overs. She accelerated dramatically, striking boundaries and sixes with ease to bring up her first fifty of the season off just 31 balls. Gardner eventually fell for a commanding 65 off 41 deliveries, an innings marked by clean hitting and smart placement.
The finishing touch was provided by Georgia Wareham and Bharti Fulmali, who added quick runs in the final overs. Wareham remained unbeaten on 27 off 10 balls, while Fulmali chipped in with 14 off seven, pushing Gujarat past the 200-run mark.
For UP Warriorz, Sophie Ecclestone was the standout bowler with figures of 2/32, while Shikha Pandey and Deandra Dottin claimed one wicket each.