Gujarat Giants. (Photo Source: Twitter/WPL)

Following two consecutive losses, Gujarat Giants (GG) finally registered their second win in the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL). GG defeated the second-placed Delhi Capitals (DC) by 11 runs in an edgy clash at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

Starting on a positive note, DC skipper Meg Lanning won the toss and opted to field first. After being invited to bat, GG made a slow start to their innings. However, crucial half-centuries from Laura Woulvaardt (57) and Ashleigh Gardner (51*) helped GG post a competitive total of 147/4 in 20 overs. For DC, Jess Jonassen took two wickets while Marizanne Kapp and Arundhati Reddy picked one each.

Chasing 148, Delhi Capitals were bundled out for 136 in 18.4 overs. Marizanne Kapp was the top-scorer for DC with a knock of 36 runs off 29 balls. For Gujarat, Kim Garth, Tanuja Kanwar, and Ashleigh Gardner scalped two wickets each while Sneh Rana and Harleen Deol picked one each. GG bowlers produced a brilliant show to inhibit DC’s chase and ultimately managed to sway the results in Gujarat’s favour. With this win, Gujarat keep themselves alive in the hunt for the knockouts.

Ashleigh Gardner’s all-round performance helps GG win

Ashleigh Gardner played a brilliant half-century and guided Gujarat Giants to post a fighting score. She scored an unbeaten 51 off 30 balls with the help of nine boundaries. She was brilliant with the ball as well, scalping two important wickets. For her all-around performance, she was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Laura Woulvaardt plays a brilliant knock

Laura Woulvaardt played a brilliant knock and helped GG to maintain the momentum. She smashed 57 off 45 balls before being dismissed by Arundhati Reddy. Her knock was studded with one maximum and six boundaries.

Losing captain Meg Lanning said: 

“We felt that if we bat out the overs, we could actually get over the line. Gujarat team bowled very well. We didn’t play to our potential tonight. Our bowlers did an excellent job and I think they were 20-25 short. We didn’t take that many wickets but we contained them quite well. With wickets in the back end, obviously they would score a bit. It is a good learning opportunity for us. My shot to get out was poor. Playing across the line on a track where I should have played straight and two key run-outs. We lost momentum as we kept losing wickets but credit to Gujarat. (On Harleen Deol) We spoke a bit about her, she bowls a bit of off spin and leg spin. She put the balls in the right areas and got the rewards. Everyone has been busy so they will enjoy their time off tomorrow.”

Winning captain Sneh Rana said: 

“The smile is always there. We felt 150 was a par score with this ground and conditions. (On Meg Lanning wicket) Yeah, it was a big wicket, enjoyed it. I think the momentum was in our favour only, Kim Garth started brilliantly. Whoever contributes to the team, will be the best. We need two good partnerships to get a good score, and we got that today. Everyone was in a positive mindset right from warm-ups, and we knew we had to do it today.”

Ashleigh Gardner, Player of the Match said: 

“This was the game I was searching far. Felt I have inconsistent, but today the performance was right with bat and ball. Found the right balance. We spoke about losing to many wickets in clumps, so the idea was given ourselves time because in India we can catch up with the grounds being fast. As the tournament has gone on, spin has played a big part.”

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