Speaking exclusively on Amul Cricket Live on JioHotstar, Australian cricketer Phoebe Litchfield heaped praise on Kashvee Gautam, calling her a rising star in Indian cricket. Litchfield, who has been a standout performer in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), also lauded her teammate Ashleigh Gardner for her game-changing abilities.
Phoebe Litchfield on Ashleigh Gardner’s Impact
“She’s awesome. I think it’s a nice taste of home when you’re batting with her. She’s very calm, very collected, and can take games away with her destructive batting. We needed a big over, and she pretty much provided that against the leg-spinner, getting us back to a run-a-ball rate. From there, it was just about finishing the chase. Her ability to captain, bowl well, and bat explosively is a huge asset for the team. We love having her on our side.”
Gujarat Giants’ Bowlers Steal the Show
Litchfield credited the Gujarat Giants’ bowlers for their match-winning performance, emphasizing their dominance in the powerplay:
“Our bowlers have been outstanding—they won us the game today for sure. Taking three wickets in the powerplay puts the opposition on the back foot. We’ve been in that situation ourselves in the last two games as a batting unit, so we know the pressure it creates. The way Kashvee Gautam and Deandra Dottin bowled up front was simply superb. I think Kashvee is going to be a real talent in the future. As an Aussie, I have to say—I’m a little scared! It’s awesome to have her on our side in the WPL.”
Litchfield’s Personal Goals in WPL
Discussing her personal objectives for the Women’s Premier League, Litchfield shared how she aims to refine her game:
“I’ve used this platform to learn heaps. It’s one of the best tournaments in the world, featuring world-class players, and it’s a great challenge. Now that I’ve got my chance in the middle order, I hope to keep it. Laura Wolvaardt is still knocking on the door with some amazing shots in the nets, so it’s a pretty competitive environment. But I’m glad to have this opportunity. With a World Cup coming up in a few months, I’m soaking up all the insights and tricks I can get in India while also enjoying the experience—because playing cricket here is the best thing ever! Tonight was a lot of fun.”
Anjum Chopra on Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Struggles
Cricket analyst Anjum Chopra, also speaking on Amul Cricket Live, dissected the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) performance and where they faltered:
“Losing wickets early is never ideal, and if you lose more than two wickets in the powerplay while facing over 30-35 dot balls in a 120-ball contest, you’re likely to end up on the losing side. Today was no different. For RCB, the biggest blows were the dismissals of Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry in the powerplay. All credit to the Gujarat Giants’ bowlers. We expected Gujarat to come out stronger, especially after their last game, where they posted over 200 runs but still lost in Vadodara. Certain things play on players’ and captains’ minds. Tonight was one of those days when the three early wickets put RCB in a hole they couldn’t climb out of. Defending that target required more breakthroughs from their bowlers. Apart from Renuka Singh Thakur, they needed someone from the other end to step up and take wickets, but it didn’t happen.”
The Australian Influence in WPL
Chopra also highlighted the impact of Australian players like Ashleigh Gardner and Ellyse Perry in the TATA WPL:
“Look at the depth of talent with players like Ashleigh Gardner and Ellyse Perry. This is why Australia is so dominant. Even when they’re under pressure, they find a way to fight back. If it’s not Perry, it’s Gardner. If it’s not Gardner, it’s Phoebe Litchfield. If it’s not Litchfield, it’s Georgia Wareham. They might be playing for different teams in tonight’s contest, but they all come from the same winning culture—the nursery that teaches them how to win matches and make life difficult for the opposition. Gardner’s first shot tonight—a crisp cover drive—was brilliant. It’s that kind of confidence and skill that makes Australian players so formidable.
