In a high-scoring thriller in Vadodara, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pulled off the highest successful chase in Women’s Premier League (WPL) history, overhauling Gujarat Giants’ (GG) 201 with six wickets and nine balls to spare.
Richa Ghosh, dropped on zero, produced a breathtaking 64 not out off just 26 balls, taking down GG skipper Ashleigh Gardner in a game-changing over to power RCB to victory.
Mooney’s Grit, Gardner’s Carnage
Asked to bat first, GG found themselves in early trouble on a tricky surface, losing Laura Wolvaardt and Dayalan Hemalatha inside the powerplay. Beth Mooney (56 off 37) weathered the storm, using her nimble footwork to unsettle Renuka Singh and Kim Garth before opening up against Georgia Wareham. But it was captain Gardner (79 not out off 37) who turned the innings on its head. Walking in at No. 4, she absorbed the pressure before launching a brutal assault, smashing young leg-spinner Prema Rawat for three consecutive sixes.
GG’s charge continued when Deandra Dottin (25 off 13) joined Gardner in a 67-run stand off just 31 balls, their highest-ever run rate for a 50+ partnership. Gardner’s explosive knock, laced with eight sixes, ensured GG breached the 200-mark, finishing at 201/5.
Giants’ Early Strikes, Fielding Woes
Defending a big total, GG struck early as Gardner dismissed Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge within five balls in the second over. But what followed was a horror show in the field. Perry was dropped twice — on two and 18 — while Richa was put down on nought. A missed run-out chance and multiple misfields further dented GG’s hopes as RCB clawed back.
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Perry Holds Firm, Richa Turns the Game
Perry (57 off 40) anchored the chase, keeping RCB in the hunt despite wickets falling around her. The equation read 93 off 46 when she departed, leaving the chase in the hands of Richa and Kanika Ahuja.
And what followed was pure mayhem. Richa, who had been given a lifeline first ball, launched a fearless counterattack, taking Gardner apart in a 23-run over in the 16th. She mixed power with precision, finding gaps with ease and clearing the ropes at will. Ahuja (30 not out off 13) played the perfect supporting role, and together, they stitched an unbroken 93-run stand in just 37 balls, shutting the door on GG.
Captaincy Test for Gardner
For all her brilliance with the bat, Gardner’s night ended in heartbreak as GG’s sloppy fielding and inability to hold their nerve under pressure cost them dearly. While she acknowledged the dew factor, she admitted post-match that missed chances turned the game.
Gardner, though, was guilty for not getting her fields right every time she was put under pressure. Having Simran Shaikh in the boundary in place of Laura Wolvaardt who is a regular boundary rider in international games was one such blunder.
RCB’s statement win is a reminder of why they are the defending champions. Despite injuries to key players, they showed remarkable depth and resilience, proving that no target is too big when they fire as a unit. Meanwhile, GG will need to regroup quickly, especially addressing their fielding lapses, if they want to avoid another disappointing campaign.
Brief Scores: GG 201/5 in 20 ovs (Gardner 79*, Mooney 56, Renuka 2-25) lost to RCB 202/4 in 18.3 ovs (Ghosh 64*, Perry 57, Ahuja 30*, Gardner 2-33).
Also Read: All eyes on Mandhana’s match-up against Gardner as injury-hit RCB take on GG in WPL 2025 Opener
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