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Gardner's 46 & Wareham's 44* Power Gujarat Giants to 167/4 vs MI in WPL

Gujarat Giants posted a competitive total of 167/4 against Mumbai Indians in a key WPL 2026 match. After losing early wickets, a crucial 71-run partnership between Ashleigh Gardner (46) and Georgia Wareham (44*) rebuilt the innings. A late flurry of 61 runs from the final five overs propelled GG past the 165-mark. The total sets up an intriguing chase for MI's strong batting lineup.

Key Points: WPL 2026: Gujarat Giants Post 167/4 vs Mumbai Indians

  • Gardner-Wareham 71-run stand
  • GG posts competitive 167/4
  • Amelia Kerr takes 2-26 for MI
  • 61 runs in final five overs
2 min read

WPL 2026: Gardner's 46, Wareham's 44 not out takes GG to competitive 167/4

Ashleigh Gardner scores 46, Georgia Wareham hits 44* as Gujarat Giants set a competitive 167/4 target for Mumbai Indians in a crucial WPL 2026 clash.

"Georgia Wareham landed some important boundaries to take GG past the 165-run mark. - Match Report"

Vadodara, Jan 30

Skipper Ashleigh Gardner struck 46 while Georgia Wareham remained unbeaten on 44 as Gujarat Giants posted a competitive 167/4 against Mumbai Indians in a decisive 2026 Women's Premier League clash at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi, on Friday.

On a sluggish surface, Gujarat lost Beth Mooney early before Sophie Devine and Anushka Sharma steadied the innings. After both departed in quick succession, Ashleigh and Georgia rebuilt with a composed 71-run stand off 43 balls.

Though Ashleigh fell four runs short of a half-century after being stumped off Amelia Kerr, MI's standout bowler with 2-26, Georgia landed some important boundaries to take GG past 165-run mark, as 61 runs came off the last five overs. The total may test MI's formidable batting line-up, considering GG's good knack in terms of defending totals.

Sent in to batting first, GG lost skipper Beth Mooney for five, caught splendidly by Sajeevan Sajana at mid-wicket off Shabnim Ismail in the third over. Sophie and Anushka then steadied the innings with a 48-run stand.

Devine struck three boundaries in her 25, while Anushka looked fluent with four fours and a six in making 33. Both fell in successive overs to Amelia and Nat Sciver-Brunt - Anushka miscued the googly to long-on while Sophie pulled straight to deep mid-wicket.

With GG at 71/3, Ashleigh and Georgia took their time to rebuild, before striking boundaries at will. Ashleigh upped the ante when she struck Hayley Matthews for three fours and a six in the 16th over. She and Georgia then hit Shabnim for two boundaries each to bring the innings back on track. Though Ashleigh fell in the 18th over, Georgia nailed a four and six off Nat to ensure GG went past 165-mark.

Brief Scores: Gujarat Giants 167/4 in 20 overs (Ashleigh Gardner 46, Georgia Wareham 44 not out; Amelia Kerr 2-26, Shabnim Ismail 1-29) against Mumbai Indians

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good total, but losing Mooney early was a big blow. Anushka Sharma played a lovely cameo though! Our Indian players stepping up in these big matches is so good to see. Hope the GG bowlers can defend this. The WPL just keeps getting better!
S
Sarah B
Amelia Kerr's bowling figures (2-26) were excellent on this pitch. She controlled the middle overs brilliantly. Gardner's assault on Matthews in the 16th over was the turning point. 167 is competitive, but MI will back themselves. Should be a cracking chase!
A
Aditya G
Wareham's finishing was top-notch. To stay not out and take the team past 165 from that position shows great temperament. The partnership with Gardner was the game within the game. Let's see if our spinners can make the most of this slow Vadodara track.
K
Kavya N
Respectfully, I feel the top order could have been a bit more aggressive. 71/3 after 10-11 overs was a bit slow. Thank god for the overseas players' rescue act. We need our Indian batters to build bigger innings in these pressure games. Still, a fighting total! 💪
M
Michael C
The tactical battle is fascinating. GG rebuilt perfectly after those quick wickets. Sajana's catch to dismiss Mooney was a game-changer early on. Now the pressure shifts to MI's chase. 167 is exactly in that zone where it's chaseable but also defendable. Perfect for viewers!

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