Gujarat Giants Women captain Ashleigh Gardner admitted her side “stole the game” after a nail-biting four-run victory over Delhi Capitals Women in a high-scoring thriller.
Batting first, Gujarat Giants piled up a daunting 209, immediately putting Delhi under immense pressure. Despite the steep chase, DC Women mounted a sensational fightback, with Laura Wolvaardt playing a stunning knock that kept the contest alive until the very end.
Delhi needed 60 runs from the final four overs at a required rate of 15 per over, and Wolvaardt almost pulled off a memorable heist. Going into the last over, DC required just seven runs to win, but Gujarat’s bowlers held their nerve to defend the total and seal a dramatic four-run win.
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Reflecting on the contest, Gardner said the game swung both ways and highlighted how conditions in India make even seemingly impossible chases achievable.
“Yeah, it was one of those games that stayed in the balance pretty much the whole time. With 60 needed off four overs, in the past you’d probably feel comfortable being the bowling side. But here in India, with the wickets and the way the batters were striking the ball, you’re never really out of it,” Gardner said at the post-match presentation.
“To be able to defend seven in the last over, I honestly felt like we stole that game. But wins like these give the group so much confidence and belief that we can win from any position,” she added.
Despite the heartbreak, Delhi Capitals captain Jemimah Rodrigues said she was proud of her team’s resilience and fight. DC lost their top scorer Lizelle Lee after a superb 86, but Wolvaardt’s blistering 77 off just 38 balls nearly dragged the Capitals over the line.
“I’m really proud of the way the girls fought back. Even in the first innings, Sophie Devine put us under a lot of pressure, but the way Nandani Sharma and Sree Charani responded was outstanding,” Rodrigues said.
“And during the chase, there was a moment when we needed 15 an over. To take it to the last over needing just seven runs shows the belief this team has. It’s a tough loss to take, but there are a lot of positives to carry forward,” she added.
