RCBW vs GGW: In a heart-stopping beginning to the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) registered a historic win by chasing an enormous target of 202 runs with 9 balls remaining, beating Gujarat Giants by 6 wickets. The victory was founded on explosive performances by Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, and Kanika Ahuja, who led RCB to this record-breaking triumph, creating history in the process.
Gujarat Giants Post a Defiant Total
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Gujarat Giants, who batted first after being awarded the toss, scored a daunting 201 runs in 5 wickets. Their skipper, Ashleigh Gardner, was the pick of the bowlers with a devastating 79 not out from only 37 deliveries. Her innings were a show of power-hitting, consisting of three boundaries and an impressive eight sixes.
Together with Gardner, opener Beth Mooney also played a key part in driving Gujarat’s overall score, scoring 56 runs from 42 balls, including eight fours. The two of them put on a key 44-run third-wicket partnership, saving the innings after the early losses. Both Laura Wolvaardt and D Hemalatha were lost early, but Gardner and Mooney’s contributions saw Gujarat recover from those early losses. Mooney’s stay at the crease ended when she was caught by RCB captain Smriti Mandhana off leg-spinner Prema Rawat.
RCB’s Bold Chase: Richa Ghosh’s Blistering Performance
In return, RCB suffered an early jolt when their top order collapsed. Skipper Smriti Mandhana got out for a mere 9 runs, and her opening colleague Danny Wyatt Hodge got out for 4. The middle order, however, took charge with the in-form Ellyse Perry leading the way. Perry and Raghavi Bisht, who scored 25 runs, put on a vital 86-run third-wicket stand.
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Perry batted beautifully, with a 57-run knock off 34 balls and 6 fours and 2 sixes. Steadily played innings ensured RCB’s run chase to stay on track. But then came the blast of Richa Ghosh with a 64 off 27 balls that changed the game in RCB’s favor.
With 7 boundaries and 4 huge sixes, Ghosh added momentum to RCB’s victory prospects. This was the stand that turned the game in RCB’s direction, as RCB went about completing the chase towards the end.
Kanika Ahuja was also significant with her 30 runs, coming off only 13 balls, to make a victor’s entrance in the game on behalf of RCB. It was a cameo that saw RCB comfortably wrap up this victory with 9 balls to spare and a record-breaking 6-wicket win.
RCB’s Record-Breaking Chase
This win for RCB has made history. They chased a record 202 runs in 18.3 overs and became the first WPL team to achieve an ugly feat. It would go down as one of the most legendary moments in WPL history because they achieved it with great performance from their middle-order batsmen and finishers.
Gujarat Giants’ Resilience Despite Loss
Even after losing, the Gujarat Giants fought hard. Their stunning score was made possible by the stellar performances of Gardner and Mooney, who put together 135 runs as a duo. Their comeback from early struggles showed the strength and resolve of the team. Still, ultimately, RCB’s quick chase proved too much for Gujarat to tackle.
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