Twitter Reacts as RCB succumbs to 19-Run loss against Gujarat Giants

In an exciting clash, between Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Giants, led by skipper Beth Mooney, won the toss and chose to bat first in match 13 of the ongoing 2nd edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).

In opting to bat first on winning the toss, Mooney changed the trend of captains opting to field first. Gujarat’s openers set the tone with a rapid start, forming the highest opening partnership of 140 runs in the 2024 WPL before Laura Wolvaardt was dismissed at 76 runs. Phoebe Litchfield then joined Mooney to build another vital partnership and despite losing wickets, the Giants posted a formidable total of 199/5, with Mooney’s unbeaten 85 being the standout performance.

In response, Royal Challengers Bangalore started steadily but lost wickets at crucial intervals. Despite efforts from Georgia Wareham (48 runs) and Richa Ghosh (30), they fell short, finishing at 180 runs against 8 wickets. Ashleigh Gardner and Kathryn Bryce outshone with the ball for the Giants. Mooney’s exceptional innings earned her the Player of the Match award as the Giants registered their first win of the season after four consecutive losses.

Here are some highlights from the match between Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore in WPL 2024:

Beth Mooney and Laura Wolvaardt’s century run stand

Gujarat Giants registered their first 100-run partnership for any wicket in WPL, this was achieved during the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore. This partnership of 140 runs was also the 2nd highest opening partnership in the history of WPL. Laura Wolvaardt’s 76 runs, which included the most number of boundaries (13), along with Beth Mooney’s 44 runs, resulted in achieving the highest total of WPL 2024, 199 for five wickets. Fans praised the efforts of both players.

Most number of Run outs in WPL history

Seven runouts were registered in the match, with three occurring in the first innings and four in the later stages. Fans were surprised after witnessing such an unusual record.

A first toss win for Gujarat

It was only the second time in WPL’s brief history that a team elected to bat first and won the match. On both occasions, it was Gujarat Giants against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Beth Mooney won the first toss of the season and also became the first captain to opt for batting on winning the toss in the WPL 2024 edition.

Georgia’s tremendous efforts

Despite the Royals falling short by 19 runs of victory, Georgia Wareham’s efforts kept the hopes of Bangalore alive as she smashed 48 runs off just 22 balls, including 6 boundaries and two maximums, with a whopping striking strike rate of 218.18. Fans praised her performance and compared her to AB de Villiers, who was a match finisher in the Royals’ men’s team.

Fans’ reactions to Gujarat’s first victory

After four consecutive losses, the Gujarat Giants managed to register their first victory of the season and gained two points on the WPL points table.

Few more reactions from the fans

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