In the post-match press conference following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB’s) dominant 61-run victory over Gujarat Giants in Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 Match 12 at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, off-spinner Shreyanka Patil radiated confidence and team spirit.
The win on January 19 extended RCB’s unbeaten streak to five matches, clinching their playoff spot as the only undefeated side in the tournament’s fourth edition. Gautami Naik’s maiden WPL half-century (73 off 55 balls, with 7 boundaries and 1 six) earned her Player of the Match honours, powering RCB to 178/6 after an early wobble at 9/2, while Sayali Satghare’s 3/21 dismantled Gujarat’s chase, restricting them to 117/8 despite Ashleigh Gardner’s gritty 54.
Shreyanka Patil, joint-second highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 9 scalps at an average of 18.66 and economy of 8.92, sharing the spot with Lauren Bell (RCB), Sophie Devine (GG), and Nandni Sharma (DC), opened up on the grind of back-to-back games. “I mean, obviously, we’re very happy that we got five in a row wins now. It wasn’t that easy for us over the last four days to play three games and a travel day as well involved,” she said, crediting the support staff.
“The team, the management, the physios have really put in that extra effort, giving water, giving electrodes, the massage, everything’s happened so well, and the team camaraderie is actually very happy, and we are having fun right now.”
Reflecting on the schedule’s intensity, Patil praised head coach Malolan Rangarajan and the staff for meticulous recovery planning. “Playing back-to-back is not easy. So, we, Malo sir and the whole support staff, actually let us know that how to put in those practice days, when to rest, and how well we can recover during those four days,” she noted.
This preparation proved vital as RCB bounced back from Gujarat’s dream powerplay, led by Renuka Singh (1/23) and Kashvee Gautam (2/38), through Naik’s composure. Patil, who contributed with late boundaries, lauded her teammate’s breakthrough. “Personally, if you ask me, the way she batted, we all knew that it’s coming soon. She’s worked really hard, great to see her score today when our team was actually under pressure. She did a really good job.”
Patil also touched on her injury comeback, emphasising mental resilience and skill refinement during a 14-month layoff. Now back in India’s T20I squad against Australia, she stays focused: her short-term aim is lifting the WPL trophy for RCB. She highlighted tweaks like arm balls, yorkers, and wide yorkers to complement her simple approach.
The spinner reserved special praise for Sayali Satghare, RCB’s third-highest wicket-taker with 6 scalps at an average of 8 and economy of 6.85 in two matches. “Being a fast bowler, she’s put in that extra yard again. She’s someone who really wants to learn from every game. Goes back, no matter what, she’s so well disciplined, she’s gonna come with something more exciting.”
This victory marked RCB’s second over Gujarat this season, following a 32-run win on January 16 at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. As the caravan rolls on, Shreyanka Patil’s words underscore a side peaking at the right time, balanced, resilient, and brimming with belief.
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