GG vs UPW WPL 2026: Gujarat Giants star opener Anushka Sharma proved the selectors right by making a dream debut in WPL 2026. Fans mistook her for her name after GG revealed their playing XI. But she made sure that the fans would remember her for her brilliant performance.
She came in to bat at No.3 position after Beth Mooney fell early in the fifth over. By playing cautiously, Anusshka assisted Sophie Devine well, who then got out after scoring 38 runs off 20 balls. Anushka stitched a partnership with both Ashleigh Gardner and Asha Sobhana for the eighth wicket. On the third ball, she had smashed the ball towards the square and had scored 12 runs off 9 balls.
She then smashed a four in Sophie Ecclestone's next over. During the 10th over, she took Shobhana to the cleaners by smashing yet another four. And in the 11th over, she smashed Deandra Dottin for a four yet again.
She then smashed Kranti Gaud for a four in the 13th over. Gardner too had smashed three fours. GG yet again started an over with a four as Anushka smashed Shobhana on the off-side for a four. Gardner then had hit two sixes. The duo stitched a partnership of 100 runs, but Dottin then dismissed Anushka in the next over.
Facing a pitched-up ball, Harleen Deol took her catchby standing at long-on. She fell short of a well-deserved fifty but made a significant contribution of 44 runs off 30 balls.
Anushka Brijmohan Sharma was bought for Rs 45 lakh and has performed well in domestic tournaments. She plays for Madhya Pradesh as a middle-order batter who can bowl as well.
She has represented other teams like Madhya Pradesh, India C, India B U-19, Central Zone, India E, and Bundelkhand Bulls Women.