The Gujarat Giants sealed a 6-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in match 12 of the Women's Premier League on February 27, Thursday at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, their first win in Bengaluru. (Match Highlights | Full Coverage)
๐ชWinning the toss, Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner made the right call by opting to bowl first. The bottom-placed team, with just two points, started strongly with the ball and restricted the defending champions to 125/7--RCB's joint-lowest total in WPL history.
RCB Openers Smriti Mandhana ๐and Wyatt-Hodge departed cheaply for 10 and 4, respectively. The biggest blow came when Ellyse Perry, carrying high expectations, fell for a duck--her first in WPL--as Deandra Dottin struck early to leave RCB struggling at 26/3 in six overs.
๐ This also became the lowest powerplay score by any team in this WPL season, surpassing Gujarat Giants' previous low of 28/4.
๐ บThe Giants dominated with the ball, with Dottin (2/31) and Tanuja Kanwar (2/16) leading the charge. Off-spin all-rounder Gardner also contributed with a tidy spell, picking up 1/22.
๐ Now, chasing the below-par target GG took just 16.3 overs to seal victory, with Gardner smashing three sixes and six fours in her third fifty of the tournament.
แฉแฉแฉแฉแฉแฉโคโคโคโคแฉโคโคโคโคแฉโคโคโคโคแฉ๐ฑแฉแฉแฉThe Australian all-rounder led from the front and posted a blazing 58 off 31 to set the victory stage for the Giants who were desperate for this win.
๐ She raced to her half-century in just 28 balls, bringing it up in style with back-to-back sixesโa slog-sweep over long-on followed by a powerful hit over deep midwicket.
๐ทGG's top order faltered, with Beth Mooney (17), Dayalan Hemalatha (11), and Harleen Deol (5) falling cheaply, but Gardner took charge.
๐ บShe broke free in Prema Rawatโs over, plundering 19 runs -- pulling one to fine leg, driving another through cover, and finishing with a six over deep square leg.
๐งThere was no stopping GG from there as they cruised to their second win of the season, their last coming against UP Warriorz in Vadodara.
เนHer Australian teammate Phoebe Litchfield (30 off 21 balls; 3x4, 1x6) gave a fine support with the duo stitching a match-winning 51-run fourth-wicket stand off 36 deliveries.
๊ง This was a third loss on the trot for defending champions RCB. The win also opened up the table, keeping GG's slim playoff hopes alive.
๐ทNevertheless, Gujarat have now secured their second win of the season, matching their total victories from each of the previous two WPL editions.
Next, in their campaign the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Delhi Capitals ๐on February 28, Friday. Meanwhile, the Gujarat Giants will face UP Warriorz on March 3.
(With PTI inputs)
