The floodlights at DY Patil Stadium illuminated the field, creating an electrifying atmosphere as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women took to the pitch, ready to make a statement in their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 campaign. Right from the start, they showcased their intent with aggressive scoring, despite a few hiccups along the way. Grace Harris kicked things off with a bang, scoring a quick 17 runs off just 8 balls, featuring four boundaries, before Kashvee Gautam struck, trapping her lbw and leaving RCB at 26 for 1 after just 1.4 overs.
This wicket turned the momentum temporarily. Smriti Mandhana and Dayalan Hemalatha tried to settle in, but Mandhana found it tough to get going, managing only 5 runs off 8 balls before she was spectacularly caught by Gayakwad off Renuka Singh’s bowling at 33 for 2. Hemalatha followed shortly after, scoring just 4 runs off 8 balls, and RCB found themselves in a precarious position at 39 for 3 just before the fourth over. Gujarat Giants sensed they were in control, threatening to suffocate RCB’s innings completely.
However, that control slipped away quickly when Gautami Naik entered the crease. With fresh resolve, she struck two boundaries and raced to 9 runs off 6 balls before Sophie Devine bowled her out, leaving RCB at 43 for 4. It was at this turning point that Radha Yadav and Richa Ghosh joined forces and changed the tide. Radha was both calm and aggressive, pacing her innings with confidence, eventually scoring a remarkable 66 runs off 47 balls, adorned with six fours and three sixes. Ghosh matched her efforts with a fiery 44 off 28 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes of her own.
Together, they built a pivotal 105-run partnership for the fifth wicket, elevating RCB from a rescue mission to full control of the game. Ghosh fell at 148 for 5 in the 16th over but Nadine de Klerk quickly picked up the mantle, scoring 26 runs off just 12 balls, including two fours and two sixes, which helped RCB maintain their momentum. Radha left the field at 179 for 6 in the 19th over, but the contributions from Arundhati Reddy and Shreyanka Patil propelled RCB to a strong total of 182 for 7 after 20 overs, much to the delight of the crowd.
Chasing 183 for victory, Gujarat Giants started with a similar attacking mindset. Beth Mooney led the charge, scoring 27 off just 14 balls with four boundaries and a six before falling lbw to Shreyanka Patil, leaving the score at 34 for 1. RCB quickly struck again as Arundhati Reddy dismissed Sophie Devine for just 8 runs, and the early momentum shifted into pressure for the Giants. Kanika Ahuja attempted to steady the innings but was out lbw to Patil for 16 runs, leaving the Giants struggling at 46 for 3. The situation worsened when captain Ashleigh Gardner was dismissed for just 3 runs off Lauren Bell’s bowling. Despite Georgia Wareham managing 13 runs off 13 balls, wickets began to tumble rapidly.
The only highlight for the Giants came from Bharti Fulmali, who played fiercely to score 39 runs off 20 balls, with three sixes and four boundaries. However, her dismissal at 139 for 7 marked the beginning of the end. The Giants crumbled, losing eight wickets for just 36 runs, as Shreyanka Patil delivered a phenomenal spell, wreaking havoc on the middle and lower order with remarkable figures of 5 for 23. Lauren Bell added to the pressure with 3 for 29, while Nadine de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy claimed a wicket each, with Radha Yadav bowling tightly.
Gujarat Giants found themselves all out for 150 in just 18.5 overs, handing Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women a commanding victory by 32 runs. This performance, defined by a daring middle-order display and an impressive bowling attack, not only propelled RCB to the top of the WPL 2026 standings but also sent a strong message to their competitors, the Royal Challengers are ready to conquer.
Loves all things female cricket