Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their dominant run in WPL 2026 with a commanding 61-run victory over Gujarat Giants at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, sealing a place in the playoffs and extending their unbeaten streak to five matches. With this win, RCB became only the second team after Mumbai Indians in 2023 to win their first five games in a WPL season, while also registering their biggest victory by runs in the tournament.
After being put under early pressure at 9 for 2, RCB recovered strongly to post 178 for 6, led by an outstanding knock of 73 from Gautami Naik. Making history, Naik became the first uncapped Indian player to score a half-century in the WPL. She rebuilt the innings calmly after early wickets and later accelerated, finding regular boundaries. Smriti Mandhana showed brief resistance but was once again dismissed by Ash Gardner, continuing their familiar matchup in the league. Richa Ghosh provided the spark in the middle overs with a brisk cameo that included three sixes, while Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil added late momentum as RCB scored heavily at the death.
Gujarat Giants were sloppy in the field, conceding 21 extras, and lost control in the middle and final overs, allowing RCB to add 94 runs in the middle phase and 40 runs in the last four overs.
In reply, Gujarat Giants never settled in the chase. Sayali Satghare and Lauren Bell ripped through the top order, reducing Giants to 5 for 3 inside three overs. Despite a fighting half-century from captain Ash Gardner, wickets kept falling at the other end, and the asking rate soon became unmanageable. Satghare returned to remove Gardner and finish with three wickets, while the rest of the RCB bowlers maintained relentless pressure.
Giants were eventually restricted to 117 for 8, suffering their second consecutive defeat against RCB. The all-round performance underlined RCB’s form and momentum as they marched confidently into the playoffs.
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