Richa Ghosh and Kanika. (Photo Source: RCB)
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made a perfect start to their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 campaign with a sensational six-wicket win over Gujarat Giants (GG) at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, on Friday, February 14.
After winning the toss, RCB opted to bowl first, hoping to restrict GG’s for a low total. However, Gujarat Giants put up a total of 201/5 in their 20 overs, thanks to captain Ashleigh Gardner’s 79 off 37 balls and Beth Mooney’s solid 56 off 42. Gardner’s innings guided the side to a tough total despite RCB’s Renuka Singh figures of 2 for 25.
Chasing 202, RCB had a poor start, losing Smriti Mandhana (9) and Danni Wyatt (4) early to Gardner. But Ellyse Perry’s 57 off 34 balls, got the side back in the game. It was then Richa Ghosh who turned the match with a heroic knock. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed an unbeaten 64 off just 27 deliveries, lacing her innings with seven fours and four sixes. Ghosh found support in Kanika Ahuja, who contributed with 30 off 13 balls, ensuring the side reached the target comfortably in 18.3 overs.
Talking Points from Match 1 of WPL 2025
1. Smriti Mandhana struggles to fire
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s skipper Smriti Mandhana failed to fire with the bat in the opener as she was dismissed by Gujarat Giants captain Ash Gardner in the very second over of the chase. The southpaw was trapped lbw for nine. The Indian star took a review but walked off knowing her destiny. This was the ninth time the Australian off-spinner had dismissed Mandhana in T20s.
2. The Aussie duo of Gardner-Mooney takes control
Beth Mooney started WPL 2025 with a bang, becoming the first player to score a half-century in the tournament’s third season. The batter played a crucial knock of 56 off 42 balls, smashing eight boundaries at a strike rate of 133.33. She provided a strong start before falling to Prema Rawat at 85/3. Alongside Mooney, skipper Ashleigh Gardner played an important role, ensuring GJ-W capitalized on the momentum. The all-rounder remained unbeaten on 79 of 37 balls, lacing her innings with three boundaries and eight sixes. The duo’s 44-run stand was important for the side to post a total over the 200-run mark.
3. Bengaluru’s middle-order commanding performance
After losing skipper Smriti Mandhana and opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge under two overs, Bengaluru’s middle order brilliantly took control. Ellyse Perry led the fightback with a 57 off 34, while Raghvi Bist managed to put on 25 off 27. The fireworks came from Richa Ghosh, who hammered an unbeaten 64 off just 27 balls, and Kanika Ahuja’s unbeaten 30 off 13. Their power-packed performance guided Bengaluru to a six-wicket win and a perfect start to the tournament.
Also Read: Gujarat skipper Ashleigh Gardner hammers Prema Rawat for hat-trick of sixes in WPL 2025 opener
Who Said What?
Winning skipper, Smriti Mandhana:
Really happy to be on the winning side. The way Richa batted, it was brilliant to watch in the end. They have been doing that in the nets to all our bowlers and we always thought we were in the game after the first innings because of the dew. We had a good auction and whoever came in for the injured, thought they were all good replacements.
Losing skipper, Ashleigh Gardner:
It is pretty flattening to be honest, we knew it was a par score at the halfway stage and we dropped some chances and it hurt us in the end. There are always gonna be positives, there were some really good glimpses with the ball as well but when you miss those chances it can hurt you, Richa made sure she got her team over the line with a brilliant knock . We know it is gonna get very dewy and it was very tricky to hold the ball in the end, but we are not gonna use that as an excuse for the loss. We were in a very good position to win that game, and unfortunately it wasn’t to be. We want to keep playing fearless cricket with both bat and ball and remain positive and the rest hopefully takes care of itself.
Player of the Match, Richa Ghosh:
The plan was to take time and take it deep, I just tried to focus on my natural game. We always were positive and had the belief to chase this target. The preparation was really heplful because we had these kind of targets and those situations really helped us. The plan was just see ball and hit ball.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this news article is based on the author’s insights, analysis, and perspective. Readers are encouraged to evaluate the details thoughtfully and draw their own conclusions.
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