Gujarat Giants Shine with Stellar Partnership in WPL 2026 Opener

In an electrifying start to the Women’s Premier League 2026, Gujarat Giants posted a formidable score of 207/4 against UP Warriorz, driven by a stellar partnership between captain Ashleigh Gardner and debutant Anushka Sharma. Gardner's explosive innings of 65 runs and Sharma's impressive 44 runs set the stage for a thrilling match at DY Patil Stadium. The Giants' strong performance with the bat was complemented by effective bowling from Sophie Ecclestone, who took two wickets for the Warriorz. This match promises to be just the beginning of an exciting tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 10, 2026, 17:21 IST

Gujarat Giants Dominate UP Warriorz in WPL 2026

Navi Mumbai: In an impressive display, Gujarat Giants secured a formidable total of 207/4 in their 20 overs, thanks to a remarkable 103-run partnership between captain Ashleigh Gardner and debutant Anushka Sharma during the second match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at DY Patil Stadium on Saturday.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat, the Giants' openers, Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney, faced early challenges against a disciplined bowling attack led by Kranti Gaud. Devine found her rhythm in the second over, scoring 14 runs off Shikha Pandey, and continued to apply pressure as the Warriorz rotated their bowlers.

The first breakthrough for Meg Lanning’s side came in the fifth over when Mooney (13) was bowled by a delivery from Sophie Ecclestone. Devine (38) followed suit, caught at midwicket by Phoebe Litchfield off a cross-seam delivery from Pandey in the final over of the Power-play.

Making her debut at number three, Anushka quickly shifted the momentum back to the Giants, hitting a boundary on her fourth ball. She continued to impress, scoring 44 runs off 30 balls, including four boundaries, before being dismissed on the first ball of the 16th over.

Gardner, who started cautiously, accelerated her innings in the 13th over, hitting three fours off Gaud. She went on to score 65 runs off 41 balls, featuring four boundaries and three sixes, before being bowled by Ecclestone in the 18th over.

In the closing overs, Georgia Wareham and Bharti Fulmali contributed significantly, adding 34 runs in the last two overs. Wareham finished unbeaten on 27 off just 10 balls, while Fulmali scored 14 off seven deliveries.

For the Warriorz, Ecclestone was the standout bowler, claiming two wickets, with Pandey and Dottin each taking one.

Brief scores:

Gujarat Giants 207/4 in 20 overs (Ashleigh Gardner 65, Anushka Sharma 44, Sophie Devine 38, Georgia Wareham 27 not out; Sophie Ecclestone 2-32) against UP Warriorz.