On Thursday, February 27, 2025, the Gujarat Giants secured a vital six-wicket victory over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women's Premier League (WPL). The match took place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This win keeps the Giants' hopes alive in the tournament.
RCB's Innings:
RCB won the toss and chose to bat first. However, they faced early setbacks. Opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge was dismissed for 4 runs, trapped lbw by Deandra Dottin in the first over. Shortly after, Ellyse Perry, who had been in excellent form, was caught at square leg off Ashleigh Gardner's bowling for a four-ball duck. This left RCB struggling at 16 for 2.
Captain Smriti Mandhana tried to stabilize the innings but found it challenging against the disciplined bowling attack. She managed to score 10 runs off 20 balls before being caught at deep midwicket off Tanuja Kanwar's delivery. Kanika Ahuja and Raghvi Bist then formed a partnership, adding 48 runs off 37 balls. Ahuja was aggressive, especially against leg-spinner Priya Mishra, hitting consecutive boundaries and a six in one over. She scored 33 runs off 28 balls, including one four and two sixes. Bist contributed 22 runs off 19 balls, with one four and one six.
Despite their efforts, RCB couldn't build substantial partnerships. Georgia Wareham remained unbeaten with 20 runs off 21 balls, and Richa Ghosh added 9 runs off 10 balls. RCB concluded their innings at 125 for 7 in 20 overs. For the Giants, Tanuja Kanwar and Deandra Dottin were the standout bowlers, each taking two wickets. Kanwar's figures were particularly impressive, with 2 wickets for 16 runs in her four overs. Gardner and Kashvee Gautam also chipped in with one wicket each.
Gujarat Giants' Chase:
Chasing a target of 126 runs, the Giants had a cautious start. Openers Beth Mooney and Dayalan Hemalatha scored 17 and 11 runs, respectively. Both were dismissed by Renuka Singh Thakur, who bowled a tight spell, finishing with figures of 2 for 24 in her four overs. At this point, the Giants were at 32 for 2 in the seventh over.
The turning point of the match was the partnership between captain Ashleigh Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield. Gardner showcased her batting prowess, scoring a rapid 58 runs off 31 balls, which included three sixes and six fours. She reached her half-century in just 28 balls, displaying aggressive shots, especially against the spinners. In one over from Prema Rawat, Gardner amassed 19 runs, hitting three fours and a six. Litchfield provided steady support, remaining unbeaten on 30 runs off 21 balls. Their partnership of 51 runs off 36 balls guided the Giants towards the target.
Although Gardner was dismissed by Georgia Wareham, caught and bowled after scoring 58, the Giants were already in a strong position. Deandra Dottin joined Litchfield, and together they ensured there were no further hiccups. The Giants achieved the target in 16.3 overs, finishing at 126 for 4, and securing the win with 21 balls to spare.
Match Summary:
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 125/7 | 20 | Lost by 6 wickets |
| Gujarat Giants | 126/4 | 16.3 |
Points Table Update:
This victory brings the Gujarat Giants level on points with RCB and UP Warriorz, with all three teams having four points each. The Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals lead the table with six points each. The competition remains fierce as teams vie for the top spots in the WPL 2025.
Player of the Match:
Ashleigh Gardner was deservedly named Player of the Match for her all-round performance. She not only took a crucial wicket, dismissing the dangerous Ellyse Perry, but also played a captain's knock, scoring a match-winning 58 runs. Her leadership and performance were instrumental in the Giants' victory.
Post-Match Reactions:
After the match, Gardner expressed her satisfaction with the team's performance. She highlighted the importance of the win to keep their tournament hopes alive and praised her teammates for their contributions. Phoebe Litchfield also shared her thoughts, emphasizing the positive mindset the team maintained and the effective partnership she built with Gardner.
On the other hand, RCB's captain, Smriti Mandhana, acknowledged the team's shortcomings. She pointed out the need for better performances in all departments and emphasized the importance of learning from this defeat to bounce back stronger in the upcoming matches.
The WPL 2025 continues to deliver exciting matches, with teams showcasing exceptional talent and determination. As the tournament progresses, fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters and standout performances.
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