Match Summary:
- Toss: RCB won the toss and elected to field first.
Gujarat Giants Innings:
- Opening Partnership:
Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney provided a steady start, adding 35 runs before Wolvaardt was dismissed by Renuka Singh. - Middle Order Performance:
Captain Ashleigh Gardner played a blistering knock, smashing an unbeaten 79 off just 37 balls, including eight sixes, to propel GG to a competitive total. - Total Score:
Gujarat Giants posted 201/5 in 20 overs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings
Early Setbacks:
RCB faced a shaky start as both openers, Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, were dismissed within the first two overs, with Ashleigh Gardner making an early impact with the ball.
Middle Order Recovery:
Despite the early blows, Ellyse Perry played a crucial knock, scoring 57 runs, providing much-needed stability to keep RCB in the chase.
Match-Winning Partnership:
With the game hanging in the balance, Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja built a remarkable unbeaten 93-run partnership for the fifth wicket, ensuring RCB remained on track for victory.
Winning Moment:
RCB successfully chased down the target, reaching 202/4 in 18.3 overs, securing a thrilling six-wicket victory.
Key Performances:
- Ashleigh Gardner (GG): 79 runs off 37 balls, 2 wickets in the powerplay.
- Ellyse Perry (RCB): 57 runs, played a stabilizing role.
- Richa Ghosh (RCB): Key contribution in the match-winning stand.
- Kanika Ahuja (RCB): Instrumental in finishing the game with a composed knock.
- Richa Ghosh displayed fearless stroke play, taking on the bowlers with aggressive boundaries and calculated risks. Her ability to find the gaps and rotate the strike kept the pressure on the opposition.
- Kanika Ahuja, on the other hand, complemented Ghosh’s attacking intent with a mature and composed knock. She ensured the required run rate was under control, finding quick singles and hitting boundaries at crucial moments.
Together, they accelerated in the final overs, taking advantage of the powerplay field restrictions and punishing loose balls. Their partnership silenced the Gujarat Giants’ bowlers and turned what looked like a difficult chase into an achievable target.
