WPL: Gardner fifty seals GG's dominant win over RCB
Bengaluru, Feb 27 (PTI): Ashleigh Gardner led from the front with a blazing 58 off 31 balls as bottom-placed Gujarat Giants snapped their losing streak with a dominant six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the WPL here on Thursday.
Opting to bowl, GG put on a disciplined bowling display, with Deandra Dottin (2/31) and Tanuja Kanwar (2/16) restricting RCB to a below-par 125/7. The offspin allrounder Gardner also chipped in with 1/22 in a tidy spell.
GG took just 16.3 overs to seal victory, with Gardner smashing three sixes and six fours in her third fifty of the tournament.
She raced to her half-century in just 28 balls, bringing it up in style with back-to-back sixes—a slog-sweep over long-on followed by a powerful hit over deep midwicket.
GG's top order faltered, with Beth Mooney (17), Dayalan Hemalatha (11), and Harleen Deol (5) falling cheaply, but Gardner took charge.
She broke free in Prema Rawat’s over, plundering 19 runs -- pulling one to fine leg, driving another through cover, and finishing with a six over deep square leg.
There was no stopping GG from there as they cruised to their second win of the season, their last coming against UP Warriorz in Vadodara.
Desperate for a win, the bottom-placed Giants who have just one victory, delivered with the ball, with pace spearhead Deandra (2/31) and left-arm spinner Tanuja Kanwar (2/16) giving outstanding performance.
Gardner (1/22) and Kashvee Gautam (1/17) provided solid support.
Opting to bowl, GG struck early, reducing RCB to 25/3 inside the powerplay.
Smriti Mandhana (10 off 20), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (4 off 4), and in-form Ellyse Perry (0 off 4) fell cheaply. Perry had scored three fifties in her last four innings, including two 80-plus knocks.
Kanika Ahuja (33 off 28; 1x4, 2x6) and Ragvi Bist (22 off 19; 1x4, 1x6) counter-attacked, adding 48 off 37 balls.
Kanika dominated leg-spinner Priya Mishra, smashing back-to-back boundaries, including a six, as her over went for 18 runs.
Bist looked threatening, launching Meghna Singh’s off-cutter over long-on for a six, but GG struck back quickly, removing both batters within five runs.
Bist was run out immediately after a dropped catch, while Kanika miscued a big hit, allowing Kanwar to sprint back for a superb diving catch off her own bowling.
Georgia Wareham (20 not out; 21 balls) and Richa Ghosh (9 off 10) attempted to rebuild with a 21-run stand, but Kashvee's yorker cleaned up Ghosh, keeping GG in control.
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Will give suitable answer on L&O situation in Karnataka during winter session: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said that he will give a suitable response in the state legislature about the law and order situation in Karnataka, if the opposition raises the matter to target the government.
Opposition BJP has made it clear that the law and order situation will be among the main issues that it will raise during the winter session.
The winter session of the Karnataka legislature will begin in Belagavi on December 8 and will go on till 19th of this month.
"I will give a suitable answer (in the Assembly), if they (opposition raise), as to how the law and order situation is in Karnataka and in BJP-ruled states. Also, how law and order was there when the BJP was in power in the state, and how it is now with figures," Parameshwara said in response to a question.
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Speaking to reporters here, he said he is not saying that there have been no incidents in the state, but it has to be told as to how the situation was there during the BJP's rule and how it is now.
Asked about how the government will defend notorious criminals and a terror suspect allegedly enjoying preferential treatment inside the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, the home minister said, "When the majority of the incidents took place, which government was there? All this will be informed in the Assembly when the issue is raised."
Admitting that such incidents have occurred under the current government's tenure too, he said, appropriate action has also been taken against those involved and the officials responsible. "But, old videos were circulated and it was projected as it took place now. I will explain each incident," he added.
To a question on Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of "multiple murders, rapes and burials" in the temple town of Dharmasthala, Parameshwara said, he would inform the factual position to the legislature, if raised in the House.
"SIT has submitted the report to the court. They have also submitted it to the government. If the issue is raised, we will inform the house. Factual position has to be told. What is there to hide?"
Asked about his meeting with senior Minister Satish Jarkiholi, amid leadership speculation in the state, Parameshwara said, some time the meeting with Jarkiholi might be on work-related matters as he holds a major PWD portfolio, while sometime it will be for casual political discussions.
"What is there to hide in it? We have met in the past too," he added.
