A heated encounter at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium saw the Gujarat Giants (GG) beat the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by six wickets in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. On February 27, 2025, the match took place and saw all-round splendid performance from GG’s captain Ashleigh Gardner as she helped her side to their second win of the season.
RCB’s innings: Early setbacks and middle-order resistance
RCB had the option to bat first after winning the toss, but suffered immediate problems as GG’s bowlers Dottin and Perry brought the team two wickets in quick succession before the powerplay ended. Dottin set the tone by dismissing England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge LBW in the first over for just four runs. The circumstances worsened when Australian bone Perry, who has dominated the entire tournament so far, was struck off for a rare Alfred Duck.
Southern cross Gardner already coaxed Perry to cut too hard resulting in an easy square leg catch.
Skipper Smriti Mandhana from RCB was meandering for a while, scoring a mere 10 runs off 20 balls before being skittled out by left arm orthodox spinner Tanuja Kanwar. In attempt to break free, Mandhana slog swept to ‘please Harleen’ Deol at deep mid wicket to push the scores to 25 for 3 in the power play.
Despite the chaos at the beginning of the innings, Kanika Ahuja showed some resistance and played a counter attacking innings.
Ahuja and Raghvi Bist also put together an important 48 runs for the fourth wicket. Ahuja was able to steady the ship with some aggressive batting, especially when taking on Priya Mishra the leg-spinner. In this match, Ahuja hit a brave 33 off 28 balls which gave RCB more hope. When she was out, however, caught and bowled to Kanwar, it caused another collapse.
Bist attempted to add 22 runs but was unfortunately run out due to confusion. RCB got some late help from Georgia Wareham who scored 20 and was not out to take RCB’s score to a respectable 125 for 7 in the 20 overs.
GG’s Chase: Gardner’s Masterclass.
With 126 to chase, GG started their innings on the back foot. The score was already on 14 when the first wicket of Beth Mooney fell for 17 runs followed by Dayalan Hemalatha. With both openers gone. Renuka Singh stumped Hemalatha for 11 runs, and Mooney was caught at deep midwicket for 17.
GG’s innings needed some help while lying at 32 for 2 and in the 7th over. Gardner’s equally intimidating and calm manner as a batter helped steer the ship. It was clear the RCB bowlers had to suffer as she turned on the onslaught. When Gardner hit Prema Rawat, she smashed three fours and a six, scoring 19 runs in one over. After Deol left, Gardner’s alliance with Harleen Deol added 34 runs.
When Gardner and Litchfield played a match together, they formed a formidable partnership, adding 51 runs together. Gardner’s batting was further benefited by powerful striking as he scored 58 runs in just 31 balls at the pace of 6 fours and 3 sixes. Furthermore, GG’s run chase was going according to plan because of her aggressive batting. Although she got out when the team was looking to win, Litchfield scored 30 runs enough for GG to win with 21 balls remaining.
Bowling Excellence: GG’s Disciplined Attack.
The success of GG was due to their calculated bowling. Ashleigh Gardner and Tanuja Kanwar each took two wickets that helped remove the top batters of RCB. Kanwar’s double strike and Dottin’s early breakthrough put pressure on the RCB batters continuously. The off-spin bowler, Perry did not get Ellyse’s expensive prize. Gurthrate’s economical spell better RCB was not able to score in the middle overs.
Implications and Looking Ahead
This allows GG to tie with RCB and UP warriorz, where all the teams have managed 4 points against eachother. The win will motivate GG further and gives them a bigger net run. This is very crucial as they progress in the league.
For RCB, this marks their third successive home defeat, which raises questions about their strategies and implementation. As WPL 2025 season is coming to the end, both teams will have to think and adapt in order to stay in playoff contention.
In summary:
Ashleigh Gardner’s exceptional all round performance for GG during this match cemented her team’s placed at the top. Gardner herself has shown to be an aggressive scorer and her crucial changes in the bowling department and motivated leadership helped her clinch an emphatic win against RCB which ensured that the last part of league stage of WPL 2025 will be very interesting.
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