In a display of sheer dominance, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) crushed Gujarat Giants by 32 runs in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), powered by spinner Shreyanka Patil’s masterful ‘grip’ on the game. This victory marks RCB’s third consecutive win, propelling them to the top of the points table.
RCB batted first and posted a formidable 157/7 on the board. Openers Sophie Devine and Smriti Mandhana set the tone with a brisk 50-run partnership before the innings accelerated. Devine smashed 36 off 22 balls, while Mandhana contributed 29. The middle order, led by Ellyse Perry’s explosive 43 off 25, ensured a competitive total despite Gujarat’s bowlers fighting back with three wickets each from Meghna Singh and Sneh Rana.
Defending the total, RCB’s bowlers came to the party. Shreyanka Patil was the standout performer, claiming 4/20 in her spell that dismantled the Giants’ batting lineup. Her variations and sharp turn left the batters clueless. Sophie Molineux and Asha Shobana chipped in with two wickets apiece, restricting Gujarat to 125/9.
Captain Smriti Mandhana praised her team’s all-round effort post-match. ‘Shreyanka’s spell was game-changing. We’re building momentum and loving this winning streak,’ she said. Gujarat skipper Beth Mooney lamented dropped catches and poor execution under pressure.
This hat-trick of wins has RCB dreaming big in WPL 2024. With key players firing on all cylinders, they look unstoppable. Fans are already buzzing about their title aspirations as the league intensifies.