Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) outclassed Gujarat Giants by 61 runs in the 12th match of the Women’s Premier League 2026 at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. After being invited to bat first, RCB posted 178 for 6 in their 20 overs. Gautami Naik played a superb innings of 73 runs off 55 balls when her team needed it the most. Richa Ghosh also contributed useful runs, helping RCB push the total close to 180. Kashvee Gautam and Ashleigh Gardner picked up two wickets each for Gujarat Giants.

In reply, Gujarat Giants never looked comfortable and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Ashleigh Gardner fought hard and played a gritty knock of 54 runs off 43 balls, but her efforts were not enough to change the outcome. Sayali Satghare (3 for 21 in 4 overs) once again made a strong statement with her disciplined bowling. Nadine de Klerk (2 for 17 in 4 overs) also did not allow the Gujarat batters to score freely. With this win, RCB sealed a place in the playoffs.

Early Wickets Put RCB Under Pressure

RCB did not have the smoothest of starts. Renuka Singh struck with the final ball of the first over as Grace Harris chipped a simple catch to mid-on. Soon after, Georgia Voll, who had scored a fifty in her previous match on debut, attempted a cut shot and was bowled.

Giants skipper Ash Gardner then introduced herself into the attack, targeting Smriti Mandhana. Mandhana responded with a couple of boundaries, while Gautami Naik at the other end began cautiously. Naik’s first boundary came through a driven shot, followed by a pick-up over deep square leg that hinted at her intent. Still, her scoring rate stayed just below a run a ball early on.

The pair steadied the innings and brought up a fifty-run partnership by the end of the eighth over. However, Gardner returned in the ninth and once again dismissed Mandhana, removing her for the fourth time in eight WPL innings.

Naik Anchors the Recovery in Vadodara

Playing their first match of the season at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, RCB recovered strongly from 9 for 2. Naik held the innings together and accelerated when needed. She reached her half-century off 42 balls, becoming the first uncapped Indian player in WPL history to score a fifty. She also survived a dropped catch shortly after reaching the milestone.

Richa Ghosh then shifted the momentum firmly in RCB’s favour. She smashed three sixes during her quick 20-ball stay before being caught at long-on off a full toss. Ghosh reviewed the delivery for a no-ball, but the decision stayed with the on-field umpire.

Late contributions from Radha Yadav and others helped RCB post 178 for 6 after recovering from early trouble.

Giants Lose Control in Middle and Death Overs

After starting well with the ball, Gujarat Giants allowed the game to slip away in the middle overs. They conceded 94 runs during that phase and then leaked another 40 runs in the final four overs.

In the last over, Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil attacked Gautam, smashing four boundaries. Giants also struggled in the field and conceded 21 extras, the joint second-highest by any team in WPL history.

Giants’ Chase Falls Apart Early

The chase never really took off for Gujarat Giants. They survived Lauren Bell’s opening over, but Sayali Satghare struck in the second. Beth Mooney was bowled for 3, and Sophie Devine departed for a duck, leaving Giants in deep trouble.

Bell then joined the action, swinging one back sharply to bowl Kanika Ahuja and reduce Giants to 5 for 3. Anushka Sharma, returning from injury, looked promising with a few well-timed boundaries. However, she could not convert her start and sliced a Nadine de Klerk slower ball to Radha Yadav.

The collapse continued as Giants lost two more batters cheaply and slipped to 56 for 6.

Gardner Fights, But RCB Seal Big Win

With 163 needed from the final six overs, the target was always out of reach. Ash Gardner tried to revive the chase after a slow start. She hit three boundaries off Radha Yadav and launched a towering six off Bell to bring up a fighting half-century.

However, Satghare returned to break Gardner’s resistance and finished with three wickets. Gujarat Giants eventually managed only 117 for 8, suffering their second straight defeat against RCB.

RCB’s all-round performance underlined their dominance in WPL 2026 and confirmed them as strong contenders heading into the playoffs.