A fielding meltdown proved fatal for Gujarat Giants, who suffered a 61-run drubbing against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League at Vadodara. With this win, RCB punched their playoff ticket, while Gujarat captain Ashley Gardner pinpointed loose catching as the Achilles’ heel.
RCB, batting first at BCA Stadium, amassed 178/6. Gautami Naik’s explosive 73 lit up the scorecard, complemented by Richa Ghosh’s 27. Gujarat clawed back with Kashvi Gautam and Gardner snaring two wickets apiece, yet couldn’t contain the scoring.
Gujarat’s chase imploded at 117/8. Captain Gardner’s resolute 54 from 43 deliveries was a lone bright spot, with Anushka Sharma managing 18. RCB’s Sayali dominated with 3 wickets, Nadine de Klerk supporting with 2.
Gardner was candid post-match. ‘Really gutting. We drop catches, they pile on runs—those micro-moments are slipping away.’ Pitch analysis revealed challenges: ‘Inconsistent bounce hurt our strategies. I backed myself vs. Smriti Mandhana, tempting her across the line given her square prowess.’
Resilience defined her outlook. ‘Last two matches are ours to claim. Gained valuable insights today—positive in a way—but losses leave a bitter taste.’ RCB’s triumph underscores their readiness, contrasting Gujarat’s urgent need for sharper skills and cohesion in the competitive WPL arena.