RCB Stay Unbeaten as Radha, Patil Down Gujarat Giants
Middle-Order Stand and Clinical Bowling Keep RCB Perfect in WPL
Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their unbeaten run in the WPL with a composed 32-run victory over Gujarat Giants, recovering from early trouble with the bat before enforcing control through disciplined bowling. A decisive middle-order partnership and a five-wicket haul ensured RCB completed a hat-trick of wins in the tournament.
Early Collapse Puts RCB Under Pressure
RCB’s innings began on an uncertain note as wickets fell regularly in the power play. After a costly opening over, Gujarat Giants pulled things back sharply, leaving RCB reeling at 43 for four. The early dismissals forced a rethink, with the onus shifting to the middle order to stabilise the innings.
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Radha and Ghosh Rebuild with Authority
Promoted up the order, Radha Yadav joined Richa Ghosh and the pair set about repairing the damage with composure. Initially watchful, they soon found rhythm, targeting width and finding the off-side boundaries with consistency. Their partnership steadily lifted the scoring rate while denying Gujarat Giants further breakthroughs.
Radha brought up her maiden WPL fifty as the stand crossed three figures, taking RCB from a vulnerable position to a commanding one. The 105-run partnership ended late in the innings, but by then the platform was firmly set.
Late Surge Pushes RCB Past 180
After Ghosh’s dismissal, Nadine de Klerk provided crucial momentum at the death. Her quick 26 off 12 balls, including a high-impact penultimate over, pushed RCB to 182 for seven. Gujarat Giants were left needing a strong chase on a surface that offered little margin for error.
Giants’ Chase Falters Despite Bright Starts
Gujarat Giants began positively, scoring freely in the early overs. However, timely strikes from RCB’s bowlers checked the momentum. Shreyanka Patil made key inroads through the middle, repeatedly breaking partnerships and halting any sustained recovery.
Bharti Fulmali’s counter-attacking 39 briefly revived hopes, but the lack of support proved costly. Lauren Bell returned at a crucial stage to remove set batters with changes of pace, ensuring Gujarat Giants never regained control of the chase.
Patil Seals Result with Five-For
Patil closed out the innings with a five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 23 as Gujarat Giants were bowled out for 150. The result underlined RCB’s growing balance, combining resilience with the bat and sharp execution with the ball.
