Gujarat captain Ashleigh Gardner hits Prema Rawat for a hat-trick of sixes in WPL 2025 opener

Ashleigh Gardner, captain of the Gujarat Giants, delivered a vicious blow to the bowling assault of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, sparking an incredible start to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 at Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium. Gujarat reached 201/5 in their allocated 20 overs as the all-rounder hit a hat-trick of sixes off Prema Rawat’s bowling, reaching her fifty in just 25 balls.

Ashleigh Gardner fireworks started when she faced the young spinner in the fourteenth over.

The all-rounder from Australia came down the track and hit a stunning six with a tossed-up delivery over long-off. The very next ball she jumped down the crease once more to hit a long-on googly over wide. With a pull over deep square leg, she took 21 runs off the over and completed her hat-trick of sixes. With effortlessly, the Australian batter kept hitting sixes. At a strike rate of 213.51, she finished the innings undefeated with 79 off just 37 deliveries, including three boundaries and eight sixes.

6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣ 🚀#GG captain Ashleigh Gardner flexing her muscles with a hat-trick of sixes 💪💥

She also brings up her FIFTY off just 25 deliveries.

Live 👉 https://t.co/jjI6oXJcBI #TATAWPL | #GGvRCB pic.twitter.com/1bRXNJ3Bep

— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) February 14, 2025

Against Bengaluru, Gujarat scores a significant amount.

When the Gujarat Giants were put to bat, Beth Mooney’s 56 off 42-ball innings got them off to a strong start. Gardner carried the onus after Mooney held the innings together as Laura Wolvaardt (6 off 10) and Dayalan Hemalatha (4 off 9) fell cheaply. In brief appearances, Simran Shaikh (11 off 5) and Deandra Dottin (25 off 13) made sure the home team reached the 200-run milestone.

The best bowler for RCB was Renuka Singh, who finished with figures of 2/25 in her four overs. With one wicket each, Georgia Wareham (1/50) and Kanika Ahuja (1/19) contributed, but the remainder of the bowling attack found it difficult to limit the Giants’ batting prowess. As a result of Gardner’s valiant efforts, Rawat finished with figures of 1/26 in her two overs.