WPL 2026: Defending seven in the last over felt like stealing the game, says Ashleigh Gardner

Gujarat Giants Women captain Ashleigh Gardner said her team stole the game after a thrilling victory over Delhi Capitals Women. GG Women posted a massive total of 209 runs, putting DC Women under pressure. Delhi needed 60 runs from the final four overs at a required run rate of 15 per over, and Laura Wolvaardt nearly pulled off a remarkable chase.

DC Women required seven runs to win in the last over, but Gujarat Giants held their nerve to clinch the match by four runs in a dramatic finish. Gardner said the game remained evenly balanced throughout but felt her side was comfortable in crucial moments. She also noted that Indian pitches can be tricky and emphasised that matches are never truly over until the final ball is bowled.

“Yeah, they’re one of those games that was in the balance pretty much the whole time. And certainly, [with] 60 [needed] off four overs, I think in the past you probably would be more comfortable being the bowling side. But we know here in India with the wickets and the way that the batters were hitting the ball, you’re kind of never out of it,” said Gardner in the post-match presentation.

“To be able to defend seven in the last over, I felt like we stole that game. But I think they’re the games that I guess give a lot of confidence into the change room and a lot of belief that we can kind of win from any position,” she added.

Proud of the way they fought back: Rodrigues

Delhi Capitals Women captain Jemimah Rodrigues said she was proud of the way her team fought back twice in the match. DC lost top scorer Lizelle Lee after she scored 86 runs, but Wolvaardt’s explosive 77 off just 38 balls nearly took them over the finishing line.

“I think I’m very proud of the girls [with] the way they fought back. Even in our bowling in our first innings, I think the way Sophie Devine was going, she put us under a lot of pressure. But the way Nandani [Sharma] and [Sree] Charani bowled, I think they fought back really well,” said Rodrigues.

“And I couldn’t have been more proud of the belief this team showed in this chase because at one moment, we needed 15 runs an over. But to get it to the last over where we just need seven, I think I couldn’t have been more proud. Yes, it’s a tough pill to swallow, but a lot of positives to take from here,” she added.

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