Royal Challengers Bengaluru made history in Vadodara’s BCA Stadium, thrashing Gujarat Giants by a massive 61 runs to claim their fifth straight win and become the first WPL team to book a playoff berth.
Opting to field, GG saw RCB’s batswomen rise from early trouble. After a precarious 9 for 2, Smriti Mandhana and Gautami Naik rebuilt with a solid 60-run alliance. Mandhana’s 26 off 23 gave way to Naik’s masterful 73 (55 balls, 7×4, 1×6) and Richa Ghosh’s 27, pushing RCB to a challenging 178/6.
Bowlers Kashvee Gautam and Ashleigh Gardner struck twice each for GG, supported by single scalps from Renuka and Sophie Devine.
GG’s chase unraveled from the outset, losing three quick wickets for five runs. Anuska Sharma (18) and Gardner (54 off 43) offered resistance with a 29-run stand, followed by Fulmali’s 14 in a 41-run effort, but the middle order crumbled to 56/6. They limped to 117/8.
Sayali Satghare’s three-wicket haul led RCB’s attack, with de Klerk (2), Bell, Yadav, and Patil claiming the rest. RCB’s relentless momentum positions them as frontrunners in the playoff race, showcasing depth in batting and bowling.
