The WPL 2025 is underway and it’s underway with a bang. The opening match of the season was played at the Kotambi Stadium of Vadodara, between the hosts Gujarat Giants and the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Giants who lost the toss and were sent into bat did not shy away from the challenge, scoring a mammoth total of 201 runs, their highest-ever score in WPL history.
The architect behind this total was none other than the Giants skipper, Ashleigh Gardner, who was building a steady partnership with ex-captain Beth Mooney was left stranded as Mooney fell to RCB’s debutant Prema Rawat.
The fall of the wicket brought about the attacker in Gardner, who went berserk scoring 79 at a strike rate of 213.51. As the Gujarat skipper belted the ball around the park hitting six after six, the RCB fielders almost became irrelevant during play. Gardner ended her innings on the non-strikers’ end as Deol helped the team set a target of 202 for the visiting side.
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Gardner’s innings garnered a lot of attention with fans praising her for her clean striking and power hitting. With fans calling her knock sensational Gardner has ensured her social media ratings rise. Fans praised Gardner’s unreal hitting, calling it the greatest start to the season. With the captain playing what social media called a ‘gem of an innings’, Gardner has put her team into the driving seat, earning herself the title of ‘clutch player’.
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