Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into the WPL playoffs with a resounding 61-run thrashing of Gujarat Giants at Vadodara’s BCA Stadium. The defeat exposed Gujarat’s fielding frailties, with captain Ashley Gardner openly lamenting dropped catches as the game’s decisive factor.
Batting first, RCB compiled 178/6, powered by Gautami Naik’s match-winning 73. Richa Ghosh’s 27 added late fireworks. Gujarat responded with early strikes—Kashvi Gautam and Gardner grabbing two wickets apiece—but couldn’t build pressure.
In reply, Gujarat stuttered to 117/8. Gardner’s 54 off 43 balls offered hope, but Anushka Sharma’s 18 couldn’t ignite a chase. RCB’s Sayali (3/??) and Nadine de Klerk (2/??) ran through the lineup, ensuring a comfortable victory.
Gardner didn’t mince words in the aftermath. ‘Very disappointing. Dropping catches and letting them capitalize on those moments—we’re losing those key battles,’ she reflected. She dissected the pitch conditions: inconsistent bounce disrupted plans. Against Smriti Mandhana, Gardner saw an edge. ‘Good matchup for me against Smriti. Wanted her to drive across the line since she’s strong on the square.’
Looking ahead, the skipper urged unity. ‘Final two matches are must-wins. Plenty of lessons here, but losses sting.’ This humbling defeat serves as a wake-up call for Gujarat, who must tighten fielding and execution to stay alive. RCB, meanwhile, rides high on momentum.
