WPL 2026, match 2 LIVE: Ash Gardner’s 65 takes Gujarat Giants to a huge total against UP Warriorz

In the WPL 2026's second match, the Gujarat Giants (GG) showcased dominance by scoring a record 207/4 against UP Warriorz (UPW) as Ashleigh Gardner led with a blistering 65.

Gardner and Sharma added 107-run for the third wicket for Gujarat Giants. Image | WPL

The second match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 saw records tumble at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy as the Gujarat Giants (GG) delivered a statement of intent, posting a colossal 207/4 against the UP Warriorz (UPW). Anchored by a captain’s knock from Ashleigh Gardner and a scintillating debut by Anushka Sharma the Giants surpassed their previous best to set the highest-ever total in the franchise's history.

A tale of two openers for GG: Mooney and Devine

Opting to field first, UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning hoped her bowling attack would exploit the early moisture. However, the Gujarat Giants' batters had different plans, utilizing a batting-friendly surface to punish a wayward UPW bowling unit that struggled with discipline throughout the innings.

The innings began with contrasting fortunes for the Giants' openers. Beth Mooney usually the rock of the top order, looked uncharacteristically tentative. She struck two crisp boundaries before being deceived by the flight of Sophie Ecclestone, getting clean-bowled for 13.

At the other end, Sophie Devine looked like she was playing on a different surface. The New Zealander blazed her way to 38 off just 20 balls, including six fours and two towering sixes.

Devine’s aggression ensured that the Giants maintained a healthy run rate during the powerplay, even as her partner departed early. When she eventually holed out to deep mid-wicket off Shikha Pandey the stage was set for the defining partnership of the match.

Read also: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians, WPL 2026, match 3: Preview, when and where to watch in India?

The Gardner-Sharma show

What followed was a clinic in T20 batting. Skipper Ashleigh Gardner joined forces with 22-year-old debutant Anushka Sharma the most expensive uncapped player of the 2026 auction.

The duo combined for a massive 103-run stand for the third wicket, systematically dismantling the UPW attack.

Gardner was the primary aggressor, reaching her half-century in just 30 deliveries. She favored the leg-side, repeatedly "moosing" anything short over the mid-wicket fence.

Sharma, meanwhile, showed why the Giants fought so hard for her at the auction table. Her 44 off 30 balls was a perfect blend of composure and calculated risk, highlighted by seven boundaries that pierced the gap with surgical precision.

By the time Sharma fell to Deandra Dottin in the 17th over, the Giants were already cruising toward a historic total. Gardner followed shortly after for a magnificent 65 off 41 but the damage was well and truly done.

Read also: WPL 2026, match 1: Nadine de Klerk’s power takes RCB over the line against MI in a last-ball thriller.

Death over pyrotechnics

UP Warriorz hoped to drag things back in the final two overs, but Georgia Wareham and Bharti Fulmali ensured there was no respite.

Wareham, in particular, was in a murderous mood, striking an unbeaten 27 off just 10 balls. She punctuated the end of the innings by smashing Deandra Dottin for a massive six and finding the boundary against Deepti Sharma in a final over that yielded 14 runs.

The Giants’ final tally of 207/4 eclipsed their previous franchise record of 201, sending a clear warning to the rest of the league.

Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers with 2/32; the rest of the UP Warriorz attack struggled for rhythm. The fielding was equally disappointing, with several misfields and a dropped catch allowing the Giants to capitalize on every mistake.

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