In a one-sided encounter at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, Royal Challengers Bengaluru delivered a commanding 61-run victory over Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League on Monday. RCB’s clinical performance propelled them into the next round, leaving Gujarat’s captain Ashley Gardner ruing dropped catches and missed opportunities.
RCB set the tone early, electing to bat first and posting a formidable 178 for 6 in their 20 overs. Gautami Naik starred with a brilliant 73-run knock, anchoring the innings with poise and power. Richa Ghosh contributed a quickfire 27, ensuring momentum never waned. Gujarat’s bowlers, led by Kashvi Gautam and Ashley Gardner with two wickets each, fought back but couldn’t stem the flow.
Chasing 179, Gujarat Giants crumbled under pressure, managing only 117 for 8. Gardner top-scored with a gritty 54 off 43 balls, but support was scarce with Anushka Sharma’s 18 being the next best. RCB’s Sayali dismantled the batting lineup with 3 wickets, while Nadine de Klerk claimed 2, sealing a dominant win.
Post-match, a dejected Gardner pointed to fielding lapses as the turning point. ‘It’s very disappointing. When you drop catches and they score runs off those chances, those are the small moments we’re not winning,’ she said. Highlighting the inconsistent bounce on the pitch, Gardner noted her tactical duel with Smriti Mandhana: ‘I thought I had a good matchup against Smriti. Just trying to get her to play across the line, knowing she’s strong square of the wicket.’
Despite the setback, Gardner remains optimistic. ‘We have to win our last two games. There’s a lot to learn from this match, which is good, but standing here after a loss isn’t pleasant.’ With playoffs on the line, Gujarat must regroup swiftly to salvage their campaign, while RCB’s clinical execution sets a high bar for the competition.