Mumbai: Royal Challengers Bengaluru outclassed Gujarat Giants by 32 runs to surge to the top of the Women’s Premier League table on Friday. Continuing their impressive start to the 2026 season, RCB registered their third consecutive win with a commanding performance at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, becoming the first team in the tournament to reach three victories.
After winning the toss for the first time this season, Gujarat Giants skipper Ashleigh Gardner opted to bowl — a decision that initially paid dividends. RCB were reduced to 43/4 in the Powerplay, with key batters Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris dismissed early, leaving the innings in disarray.
What followed was a match-defining partnership between Radha Yadav and Richa Ghosh. Displaying composure under pressure, the duo rebuilt the innings with calculated aggression. Radha Yadav turned the game on its head with a superb maiden WPL half-century, repeatedly finding the boundary and relieving pressure from Ghosh, who played a fluent supporting role. Late contributions from Nadine de Klerk helped RCB post a strong total of 182 despite the early collapse.
For Gujarat Giants, Kashvee Gautam impressed in the Powerplay, while Sophie Devine was the standout bowler with three wickets and an economical spell.
Chasing 183, Gujarat Giants never quite found momentum. Although their middle and lower order showed resilience after early setbacks, the top order failed to capitalise on starts. RCB’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals, with Lauren Bell setting the tone early and Arundhati Reddy providing crucial breakthroughs.
The highlight of the innings was Shreyanka Patil’s sensational spell. The off-spinner produced a match-winning performance, claiming her maiden five-wicket haul in the WPL to dismantle the Giants’ chase and seal a memorable win for Bengaluru.
Radha Yadav was named Player of the Match for her crucial half-century, while Patil’s five-for underlined RCB’s growing confidence and balance as a unit.
With three wins from three matches, RCB have announced themselves as early frontrunners in the tournament. The WPL action now shifts to Navi Mumbai, where a double-header awaits on Saturday, January 17, featuring UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians in the afternoon, followed by Delhi Capitals taking on the high-flying Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the evening.
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