NAVI MUMBAI : In a breathtaking Women’s Premier League (WPL) encounter at Dr DY Patil Stadium, the Gujarat Giants held their nerve to beat UP Warriorz by just 10 runs in a high-scoring classic that had fans on their feet.
It was the kind of match that lived up to every bit of hype — batters dominated, bowlers battled, and the crowd soaked up a spectacle of power hitting, smart captaincy, and heart-in-mouth moments.
Giants set a massive target
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Gujarat Giants slugged their way to 207 for 4 in 20 overs — a total built on aggression and key partnerships.
Ashleigh Gardner, leading from the front, played a scintillating 65 off 41 balls, smashing six fours and three sixes to anchor the innings.
Anushka Sharma impressed on debut with 44 off 30, helping stitch a crucial 103-run partnership with Gardner that turned the game.
Then came Georgia Wareham’s cameo — 27 off just 10 balls —* with three massive sixes, pushing the Giants past the 200-run mark.
Reflecting on her knock, Gardner said, “We knew runs on this pitch would be key… keeping momentum and rotating the strike made all the difference.” (Credit: Times of India)
Warriorz fight back — nearly
Chasing 208, UP Warriorz didn’t go quietly. Phoebe Litchfield was absolutely sensational, blasting 78 off just 40 balls with fearless stroke play that kept her team in with a shout deep into the chase.
Her partner, captain Meg Lanning, provided solid starts with 30 runs, and late charges from Asha Sobhana (27)* helped keep the run rate alive.
But despite Litchfield’s fearless assault, regular breakthroughs and tight death bowling by the Giants — especially from Wareham and Renuka Singh Thakur — prevented a finish for the Warriorz.
Litchfield, ever gracious in defeat, shared, “It was an absolute blast out there — just wasn’t quite our day. Credit to Gujarat, they held their nerve.”
Match in a nutshell
Gujarat Giants: 207/4 (Gardner 65, Sharma 44, Wareham 27*)
UP Warriorz: 197/8 (Litchfield 78, Lanning 30)
Result: Giants win by 10 runs — a cracker of a contest that showcased why the WPL remains one of the most exciting women’s T20 leagues in the world.
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