Gardner begins Women's Premier League campaign with back-to-back scores in Giants' undefeated start

Jarred Cross Published January 12, 2026 at 12.45pm (AWST)

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Gujarat Giants captain Ash Gardner hit knocks of 65 and 49 in her side's undefeated start to the Women's Premier League season at the weekend. (Image: BCCI)

Ash Gardner has produced a blazing start to the Women's Premier League season after scoring big in back-to-back wins for the Gujarat Giants, including revenge for last year's playoffs exit.

The Muruwari allrounder leads the Giants as captain for a second time in 2026.

Faultless to start their season, Gardner has carried on with recent form in the subcontinent where she hit two centuries at last year's ICC Women's World Cup - a tournament where she averaging 82 with the bat.

Kicking off the Giants' WPL season on Saturday, Gardner top scored for her side with 65 (41) to bolster a strong start from by White Ferns veteran Sophie Devine (38 from 20) and highly-touted 22-year-old debutant Anushka Sharma (44 from 30) in a 10 run win over UP Warriorz.

Sharma and Gardner put on a 103-run third wicket stand on the way to posting a 4/207.

A strong finish to their chase wasn't enough to drag the Warriorz over the line, who was led by Gardner's Australian side teammate Phoebe Litchfield (78 from 40)

Led by a dominant 95 from 42 balls from Devine the following afternoon, Gardner fell one run short of a half century from just 26 balls after moved up the order to No.3 in a nail-biting win over 2025 finalists Dehli Capitals.

Standard-setter. Our captain, Ash Gardner. 🫡
Back-to-back brilliant knocks. 💪#GujaratGiants #BringItOn #Adani #GameOnGujaratStrong #TATAWPL #DCWvGGW pic.twitter.com/OsnIlv292B
— Gujarat Giants (@Giant_Cricket) January 11, 2026

The Giants climbed to 94 without loss before former skipper Beth Mooney's departure (19 from 16), with Gardner steadying the innings despite middle order partnerships failing to get going.

In response to 10/209 the Capitals needed seven runs from the final over, with Divine keeping things tight with the ball to clinch a four run win for the Giants.

After taking 1/37 the previous day Gardner couldn't replicate her batting form with the ball, going wicketless at 14 runs per over.

The Capitals ended the Giants pursuit of a maiden finals appearance in last year's Eliminator.

2025 marked an equal-best season result for Gardner's side with a third place finish.

The Giants are the sole side to have two wins from their opening two games, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru a chance to match them on Tuesday.

Gujarat next face last year's champions Mumbai Indians on Wednesday.