WPL 2026: Anushka Sharma impresses on debut outing, plays two glorious cover drives

All-rounder Anushka Sharma announced herself in style on her Women’s Premier League debut. Playing for the first time in the cash-rich tournament during the game between Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, Anushka played a key cameo and helped Gujarat post a mammoth total on the board.

The 22-year-old’s performance immediately grabbed headlines as she, at one stage, outplayed Ashleigh Gardner en route to her knock. She scored 44 runs in just 30 balls, with 7 fours, including a stylish reverse sweep. Her stay at the crease was also laced with a couple of beautiful cover drives, both racing away to the boundary for a four.

Check the video highlights of Anushka Sharma's knock here

The 44 runs by Anushka Sharma are the highest by a Gujarat Giants batter on WPL debut, with the previous highest being Dani Gibson's 34 runs last year.

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Before her debut, Sharma had turned heads in domestic cricket, representing Madhya Pradesh, scoring heavily in state and inter-zonal T20 competitions. She was picked up by the Gujarat-based team in the auction for 45 lakhs at the WPL mega auctions.

“To be honest I was a little nervous, but as I played 2-3 balls it went away. It was a great outing, I had great company as well. It was crucial to build a partnership at that time, and Ash (Gardner) were talking about building a partnership, and that went well for our team,” Sharma told broadcasters during the innings break.

“It is more about mindset, how you read situations and react according to that, domestic season obviously helped a lot for me, the preparation also was on point as we have a great staff with us, they helped me so much with the areas where I can execute my boundaries and sixes. It is a very good total on this wicket, and we have a great bowling side,” she added. 

Gujarat finished their inning on 207-4 in 20 overs, with the help of Ashleigh Gardner’s stunning 65 runs, and some explosive finish from Georgia Wareham (27* off 10) and Bharti Fulmali (14* off 7).