Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) started their TATA Women’s Premier League 2025 title defence in style, claiming a six-wicket win over Gujarat Giants (GG) in the season opener at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
RCB’s Impressive Chase
RCB successfully chased down a target of 201, thanks to a brilliant unbeaten partnership between Richa Ghosh (64* off 27 balls) and Kanika Ahuja (30* off 13 balls). The pair added 93 runs and steered RCB to victory. Ellyse Perry also played a key role, scoring 57 off 34 balls and setting the tone for the chase. RCB completed the target with nine balls to spare, setting a new record for the highest successful chase in WPL history.
Gujarat Giants’ Strong Start
Earlier in the match, Gujarat Giants posted 201/5, driven by an explosive 79 from Ashleigh Gardner off 37 balls and a solid 56 from Beth Mooney off 42 balls. This total marked the joint fourth-highest score in WPL history.
RCB won the toss and chose to bowl first. Mooney and Laura Wolvaardt gave GG a strong start, putting on 35 runs before Renuka Singh dismissed Wolvaardt in the fifth over. Following the dismissal of Dayalan Hemalatha, Gardner took charge at the crease. However, it was Mooney who continued to anchor the innings. Mooney hit a hat-trick of boundaries off Georgia Wareham in the 10th over, completing her fifty off 37 balls. GG reached 68/2 at the halfway point.
Gardner’s Explosive Knock
Mooney was dismissed soon after, caught by Mandhana off debutant Prema Rawat. Following her departure, Gardner and Dottin took control of the innings. Gardner blasted three sixes in a row off Rawat and reached a rapid 50 off 25 balls. The partnership between Gardner and Dottin added 63 runs off just 26 balls. At the 16-over mark, GG was sitting comfortably at 148/3.
Renuka Breaks the Partnership
Renuka returned to dismiss Dottin (25 off 13), but Gardner continued her onslaught. She finished with an impressive 79 off just 37 balls, including eight sixes. Thanks to a late surge, GG scored 53 runs off the final four overs, finishing at 201/5.
RCB’s Chasing Struggles
RCB started their chase strongly with Smriti Mandhana hitting consecutive boundaries. However, Gujarat captain Gardner made an impact with the ball, dismissing Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge in the second over. RCB found themselves at 69/2 after 8 overs, with Perry and Raghvi Bist forming a key partnership.
Perry’s Quick Fifty and Key Partnerships
Perry, who was dropped twice early in her innings, capitalized on her chances and reached her fifth WPL fifty off just 27 balls. She and Bist added 86 runs for the third wicket before Dottin dismissed Bist. Then, Sayali Satghare took the important wicket of Perry, leaving RCB at 113/4 after 13 overs.
Ghosh and Ahuja Seal the Win
With 63 runs required from the last five overs, Richa Ghosh took charge of the chase. She smashed 22 runs off Gardner, putting RCB in a strong position. Ahuja provided solid support, scoring 30 off 13 balls. Together, they formed a 93-run partnership off just 37 balls. Ghosh finished the match in style, hitting a six off Dottin to secure the win with nine balls to spare.