Published: Feb 28, 2024, 11:19 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 28, 2024, 11:19 AM (IST)
In a clinical display of all-round prowess, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured their second consecutive victory in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), comfortably defeating the lackluster Gujarat Giants by eight wickets in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Restricting GG to a mere 107/7, RCB’s batters exhibited a determined effort to swiftly chase down the target, aiming to bolster their net run rate.
Smriti Mandhana set the tone early with three boundaries in the opening over, although the dismissal of Sophie Devine in the third over posed a minor setback. Nonetheless, Mandhana, alongside Sabbhineni Meghana, maintained a steady scoring rate, propelling RCB to 32/0 by the end of the third over. In contrast, GG could only muster 29/1 during their six-over powerplay. Mandhana’s departure in the ninth over after a brisk 27-ball 43 did little to deter RCB’s momentum, as Meghana took charge and guided the team closer to victory.
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Buoyed by her recent half-century against UP Warriorz, Meghana unleashed a six and a four off Tanuja Kanwar in the 11th over, effectively bringing RCB within striking distance. The match concluded in the 13th over when Ellyse Perry dispatched Sneh Rana to the fine leg boundary, sealing GG’s fate with their second consecutive defeat.
Prior to their dominant batting display, RCB’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved fruitful, as their bowlers maintained tight lines and exploited GG’s lackluster intent with the bat. Despite skipper Beth Mooney reshuffling the batting order, only three GG batters managed to reach double figures, with just four scoring at a run-a-ball rate or higher.
GG’s innings struggled to gather momentum throughout, allowing Mandhana to experiment with seven different bowlers. Renuka Singh initiated GG’s downfall in the third over, utilizing swing and seam movement effectively. Singh’s delivery that seamed into the left-handed Mooney accounted for her dismissal, followed by Phoebe Litchfield’s stumping soon after. GG’s middle-order failed to provide stability, managing a mere 21 runs collectively from positions three to five, while their scoring rate during the middle overs (overs 6-16) dwindled to 44/5.
As the innings approached its conclusion, GG found themselves grappling with the spin bowling of Sophie Molineux, who claimed three wickets, contributing to GG’s below-par total.With this commanding victory, RCB ascended to the top of the points table, edging past the Mumbai Indians on net run rate, both teams boasting two wins apiece.
