UP Warriorz’ Phoebe Litchfield plays a shot during a Women’s Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket match between Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz, at the DY Patil Stadium, in Navi Mumbai. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Phoebe Litchfield’s aggressive 78 off 40 balls could not prevent UP Warriorz from going down as Gujarat Giants registered a 10-run win in a high-scoring Women’s Premier League (WPL) match played on Saturday at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.Asked to bat first, Gujarat Giants put up a strong total of 207 for 4. Captain Ashleigh Gardner anchored the innings with a well-paced 65. Opener Sophie Devine set the tone early with 38 before being dismissed in the sixth over. Gardner then took control of the innings and built a key partnership with Anushka Sharma, who contributed 44 off 30 balls. The pair added 103 runs for the third wicket, placing the Warriorz bowlers under pressure.

Gardner’s innings came to an end in the 18th over when she was dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone. Georgia Wareham then provided the finishing touches with a quick unbeaten 27 off just 10 balls, which included one four and three sixes. Bharti Fulmali also chipped in with an unbeaten 14 off seven balls, hitting two sixes, as Gujarat Giants crossed the 200-run mark.For UP Warriorz, Ecclestone was the most effective bowler, returning figures of 2 for 32. Shikha Pandey and Deandra Dottin picked up one wicket each, while Deepti Sharma went wicket-less, conceding 32 runs in her three overs.Chasing 208, UP Warriorz had an early setback when opener Kiran Navgire was dismissed in the fifth ball of the innings by Renuka Singh. Captain Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield then steadied the chase with a 70-run partnership for the second wicket. Lanning scored 30 off 27 balls, rotating the strike as Litchfield played the attacking role.The match turned sharply in Gujarat’s favour during a brief collapse. Lanning, Harleen Deol, and Deepti Sharma were dismissed in the space of five balls for the addition of just one run. Warriorz slipped from 73 for 1 to 74 for 4 by the 10th over, leaving the chase in trouble.Litchfield continued to counter-attack and found support from Shweta Sehrawat, who scored 25. The pair added 69 runs, keeping Warriorz in contention. Litchfield struck eight fours and five sixes during her knock, but her dismissal in the 16th over effectively ended the chase.Asha Sobhana provided late resistance with an unbeaten 27 off 10 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, but the required rate proved too steep. UP Warriorz eventually finished on 197 for 8, falling short by 10 runs.For Gujarat Giants, Wareham completed a strong all-round outing with figures of 2 for 30. Renuka Singh and Sophie Devine claimed two wickets each, while Gardner and Rajeshwari Gayakwad picked up one wicket apiece, sealing a hard-fought win.

New Delhi: Observing that preventive detention can’t be used just to prolong the custody of stubborn offenders, the SC has said it cannot be invoked because there is apprehension that an accused may not mend ways and commit another crime after getting bail. SC said if an accused commits fresh offence while on bail, then it can be handled under ordinary law by seeking cancellation of bail or by challenging bail in higher courts, but it cannot be the sole reason for ordering preventive detention.

Quashing the preventive detention of a woman facing 3 cases under NDPS Act, the court held “mere apprehension on the part of the detaining authority that in the event of the detenu being released on bail, she was likely to indulge in similar crimes that would be prejudicial to maintenance of public order would not be a sufficient ground to order her preventive detention”. In this case, the accused was in judicial custody but the Hyderabad collector had ordered to detain her if she gets bail to prevent her from committing crime. Detention order lacks proof of public threat: SC he authority, suspecting that she would return to peddling ganja, said, “I strongly believe that you are not amenable to ordinary law, unless you are detained by an appropriate order of detention as a last resort, in the interest of public at large”. The accused challenged the order in Telangana HC on ground that detention order was passed merely as an alternative to cancellation of bail. HC rejected her plea and was of the view that repeated and well-planned actions of the detenu were sufficient to raise presumption of threat and alarm amongst the public regarding their health. SC quashed the HC order and said, “Detention order ought to indicate the recording of subjective satisfaction by the detaining authority in that regard. It is well settled that there is a fine distinction between ‘law and order’ and ‘public order’. Mere registration of three offences by itself would not have any bearing on maintenance of public order unless there is material to show that narcotic drug dealt with by detenu was in fact dangerous to public health under the Act of 1986. This material is found to be missing in the order of detention.” The court said detention order does not indicate in what manner the maintenance of public order was either adversely affected or was likely to be adversely affected so as to detain the detenu. It said that if the detaining authority was of the view that detenu had violated any conditions of bail, steps for cancellation of her liberty could have been taken but noted that it was not done in this case.

Gujarat Giants edged past UP Warriorz Women by 10 runs in the second match of the Womens Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, on Saturday.

Gujarat Giants post massive 207/4 after explosive batting display

Gujarat Giants delivered a commanding batting performance built on aggressive intent and smart partnerships. Opening the innings, Beth Mooney provided a steady start, scoring 13 off 12 balls before falling to Sophie Ecclestone. The momentum truly shifted when Sophie Devine launched a blistering counterattack, smashing 38 from just 20 deliveries at a strike rate of 190.

Devine found solid support from Anushka Sharma, who played a fluent knock of 44 off 30 balls, ensuring the scoring rate never dipped. Captain Ashleigh Gardner added valuable runs in the death overs with a quick 65, but it was the late flourish from Georgia Wareham, who remained unbeaten on 27, that pushed the total beyond the 200-run mark.

Despite disciplined spells from Sophie and Deepti Sharma, UP Warriorz struggled to contain the flow of runs, conceding boundaries regularly as Gujarat Giants maintained a run rate above 10 throughout the innings.

UP Warriorz fight hard but fall short in the run-chase

Chasing a daunting target of 208, UP Warriorz Women began on a shaky note, losing Kiran Navgire early. Skipper Meg Lanning anchored the innings with a composed 30, while Phoebe Litchfield kept the chase alive with a breathtaking 78 off 40 balls, striking at an impressive rate of 195.

Litchfield’s partnerships with Lanning and Shweta Sehrawat briefly tilted the game in UP Warriorz Women’s favor. However, regular wickets at crucial moments halted their momentum. Contributions from Shweta Sehrawat (25) and Asha Sobhana’s unbeaten 27 added late drama, but the required rate proved too steep in the final overs.

Gujarat Giants showed remarkable composure with the ball in the closing stages. Renuka Singh Thakur delivered key breakthroughs at the start, while Wareham impressed with both wickets and control in the middle-overs. Gardner also chipped in with a vital scalp, ensuring the Warriorz never fully took control of the chase.

Also READ: WPL 2026 – Full list of commentators and presenters at the Women’s Premier League

Here’s how fans reacted to the match:

The curtain falls on a superb captain’s knock from Ashleigh Gardner. 🧡

Sophie Ecclestone cleans up the Australian star, but not before the GG skipper smashes a brutal 65 off 41 balls. 👏🏼

📸 : Jio hotstar #GGvUPW #WPL2026 #AshleighGardner #SophieEcclestone pic.twitter.com/xstT9NridA

— Jitendra Kumar (@jitenda60203698) January 10, 2026

Debutant Anushka Sharma is showing her class at the big stage.#GGvUPW #WPL pic.twitter.com/D5vlizXZEY

— Dileep Balasiya (@DileepBalasiya) January 10, 2026

Phoebe Litchfield’s reverse sweep flies for a jaw-dropping six! 🤯#TATAWPL #ggvupw pic.twitter.com/MX82dcZeqX

— Kushal Sharma (@KushalSharma_89) January 10, 2026

🚨Litchfield out at 78🚨

– What an extraordinary innings from her, she deserved a century here 😕#WPL2026 #TATAWPL #GGvUPW pic.twitter.com/8aBVtEwXec

— Rocket Singh (@rocketSahab) January 10, 2026

Smash it from ball one! 😎
Players to hit a six off the first ball in WPL history:

– Issy Wong
– Sophie Devine
– S Sajana
– Shweta Sehrawat 💥#WPL2026 #GGvUPW #TATAWPL pic.twitter.com/zKf737Qmly

— Arshy (@imArshit) January 10, 2026

Castled!

Sophie Ecclestone gets the big wicket of Ashleigh Gardner ⚡️

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/0Vl9vFyTyq#TATAWPL | #KhelEmotionKa | #UPWvGG pic.twitter.com/qhfTwszO7M

— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) January 10, 2026

Highest individual scores in unsuccessful run chases in WPL :-

90* – Tahlia McGrath (UPW) v DC, 2023
88* – Deepti Sharma (UPW) v GG, 2024
78 – Phoebe Litchfield (UPW) v GG, today#GGvUPW #WPL2026

— Rhitankar Bandyopadhyay (@_rhitankar_) January 10, 2026

🔥 #WPL2026 | GUJARAT GIANTS STAND TALL

Gujarat Giants clinch a commanding 10-run victory, sealing it in style! 💪
Captain leads from the front, with crucial support from and.

The chase sparks with heartbreak as plays a sensational 78, refusing to give up 💔#GGTWvUPW#GGvUPW pic.twitter.com/cvl9CBidoP

— Deepak Kumar Singh (@SINGHDEEPAK65) January 10, 2026

Player of the Match: Georgia Wareham#GGvUPW #cricket #WPL2026 pic.twitter.com/cQn7x9AFmW

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) January 10, 2026

Also WATCH: Sophie Ecclestone strikes gold as she uproots Beth Mooney’s off-stump in WPL 2026 | GG vs UPW

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing preliminary plans for a possible attack on Iran, including the option of large-scale airstrikes, reported The New York Post, citing the Wall Street Journal. Officials are discussing how to follow through on President Trump’s recent threats against the Islamic Republic, including what sites might be targeted.A massive aerial strike campaign on multiple Iranian military targets is one option being considered, though Washington has not reached consensus on a plan of action. No military equipment or personnel have been moved, and sources emphasised that the planning is routine.President Trump has warned Iran against continuing to kill protesters and indicated that the United States stands ready to act. In a Truth Social post on Saturday (US local time), he wrote: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”Trump also cautioned Friday: “You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too.”The US has previously struck Iranian territory. In June, the United States dropped at least six “bunker buster” bombs on three sites, including Iran’s Fordow nuclear enrichment plant, a deeply fortified facility hidden nearly 300 feet beneath a mountain. The bombing followed threats from Iran to use its nuclear capabilities against Israel during their 12-Day War and was coordinated with Israel’s own attacks on Tehran’s military infrastructure.Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded to the United States’ warnings by accusing Trump of having “hands stained with the blood of Iranians.” He told a crowd of supporters Friday: “[The terrorists] are ruining their own streets … in order to please the president of the United States because he said that he would come to their aid. He should pay attention to the state of his own country instead.”Authorities in Iran have tightened their crackdown on nationwide protests, with the death toll rising to at least 65, including 50 protesters. Officials have warned that anyone providing aid to protesters will be considered “enemies of God,” a crime that carries a death penalty. Fears are growing that the true total of deaths may exceed 200.

NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians made light work of Delhi Capitals on Saturday as they put in a complete team performance to register a comfortable 50-run win in the Women’s Premier League. After doing well with the bat, MI’s bowlers stepped up and ensured there were no late scares.Batting first, Mumbai Indians were powered by brilliant unbeaten half-centuries from Nat Sciver-Brunt and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Sciver-Brunt scored 70 off 46 balls. On the other hand, Harmanpreet smashed an unbeaten 74 from just 42 deliveries.

The experienced duo guided MI to a strong total of 195 for 4, bouncing back after a narrow loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru the previous day.Mumbai had a shaky start when Amelia Kerr was dismissed on the very first ball. Kerr’s poor run with the bat continued as she edged a wide delivery soon after. However, Sciver-Brunt took control immediately and steadied the innings. She played with great confidence, finding the gaps regularly and punishing loose balls. Her 49-run stand with opener Gunalan Kamalini helped MI regain momentum.Kamalini played her part before falling to a smart delivery from young pacer Nandani Sharma. From there on, Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet took charge. The pair added 66 runs for the third wicket, forming the backbone of Mumbai’s innings. Sciver-Brunt reached her half-century in just 32 balls, striking 13 boundaries in total. Harmanpreet, equally aggressive, hit eight fours and three sixes, taking over the scoring once Sciver-Brunt was dismissed.Chasing 196, Delhi Capitals never really got going. Nicola Carey delivered the decisive blows in the middle overs. She removed dangerous batters Shafali Verma and Laura Wolvaardt in the same over, reducing DC to 33 for 3.The situation worsened quickly as Delhi slumped to 46 for 5 inside seven overs.Though Chinelle Henry fought back with a spirited 56 off 33 balls, the target was always out of reach. Nat Sciver-Brunt also made an impact with the ball, picking up two wickets, while Amelia Kerr redeemed herself by taking 3 for 24.Led by India’s World Cup hero Jemimah Rodrigues for the first time, Delhi were eventually bowled out for 145 in 19 overs, as Mumbai Indians returned to winning ways with a dominant all-round display.