article by Suvankar Roy
The Gardner-Wareham All-Round Blitz Steals Victory in High-Octane WPL Clash
Cricket, drama, and nail-biting tension—the WPL 2026 season witnessed it all in this epic showdown! Phoebe Litchfield seemed to be on a solo mission, waging a relentless war against the Gujarat bowlers. However, in the end, the collective all-round prowess of the Gujarat Giants extinguished Litchfield’s fire, securing a sensational 10-run victory.
Gardner’s Fire, Wareham’s Magic
Captain Ashleigh Gardner led from the front with a scintillating 65 off 41 balls—a knock defined by towering sixes, impeccable timing, and fearless aggression. Complementing her was Georgia Wareham, who turned the game on its head with a blistering 27* off just 10 balls before claiming two crucial wickets with the ball.
Early Storm, Late Destruction
After being put in to bat, the Gujarat openers may have departed early, but the damage was already done. The scoreboard read a staggering 56 runs in just six overs, fueled by Sophie Devine’s explosive 38 off 20 balls. By the time Beth Mooney departed, the platform for a massive total had been set.
Then came the partnership that broke the back of the UP bowling attack. Debutant Anushka Sharma showed immense grit, while Gardner balanced patience with thunderous strikes. Their 103-run stand for the third wicket was a masterclass in power-hitting. From three boundaries in the 13th over to back-to-back sixes in the next, Gardner made it clear: she wasn’t stopping for anyone.
A final flourish by Wareham and Bharti Fulmali—who smashed five sixes in the last two overs—set the scoreboard alight, propelling Gujarat to a formidable 207.
Chasing a mountain of runs, Phoebe Litchfield began the counter-attack with pure destruction. With a flurry of boundaries, exquisite cover drives, and audacious sixes, she left the Gujarat bowlers searching for answers. She raced to a half-century in just 24 balls. Partnering with Meg Lanning and Shweta Sehrawat, she looked set to snatch the game away.
But then came the dramatic twist.
Georgia Wareham struck twice in a single over, sending Lanning and Harleen Deol back to the pavilion. When Deepti Sharma fell in the very next over, the scorecard collapsed from 73/1 to 74/4 in a heartbeat.
Despite the collapse, Litchfield refused to surrender. She launched another assault, keeping UP Warriorz’s hopes alive with a barrage of sixes. However, following a strategic timeout, Rajeshwari Gayakwad removed Shweta, and then came the defining moment of the match: Litchfield was caught! The stadium fell into a stunned silence.
Deandra Dottin managed one final six before falling the next ball, and Asha Sobhana’s late-order resistance proved insufficient. Clinical fielding and a tight final spell by Wareham ensured Gujarat crossed the finish line.
Brief Scores
- Gujarat Giants: 207/4 in 20 overs (Ashleigh Gardner 65, Anushka Sharma 44)
- UP Warriorz: 197/8 in 20 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 78)
Result: Gujarat Giants won by 10 runs.
While Litchfield’s storm was terrifying, it was the all-round fire of the Gardner-Wareham duo that reduced UP Warriorz’s dreams to ashes. This match wasn’t just a win—it was a massive statement of intent from the Gujarat Giants!