Cricket Highlights, Feb 14: Women’s Premier League 2025 (1st Match) – GG-W vs RCB-W

GG-W vs RCB-W (1st Match) – Highlights

The Women’s Premier League 2025 began with an electrifying contest as Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women secured a six-wicket victory over GG Women at Vadodara. In a high-scoring thriller, RCB chased down a formidable target of 202 with nine balls to spare, thanks to a breathtaking knock from Richa Ghosh, who was named Player of the Match for her unbeaten 64 off just 27 balls.

GG, led by Ashleigh Gardner, put up a commanding total of 201/5 in their 20 overs. Beth Mooney anchored the innings with a well-paced 56 off 42 balls, while Gardner played a captain’s knock, smashing 79* off 37 deliveries. Her innings, filled with powerful strokes, included three fours and eight sixes, propelling Gujarat past the 200-run mark. Contributions from Deandra Dottin (25 off 13) and Simran Shaikh (11 off 5) added to the final flourish.

For RCB, Renuka Singh was the standout bowler, picking up two wickets for just 25 runs in her four overs. Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, and Prema Rawat chipped in with a wicket each, though the overall bowling performance lacked control, as Gujarat capitalized on loose deliveries to score freely.

In response, RCB had a shaky start as both Smriti Mandhana (9) and Danni Wyatt (4) fell early, leaving them at 14/2 within two overs. The experienced Ellyse Perry then took charge, crafting a fluent 57 off 34 balls, striking six boundaries and two sixes. She stitched a crucial 86-run partnership with Raghvi Bist (25 off 27) to stabilize the innings.

The real game-changing moment arrived when Richa Ghosh stepped onto the field. The wicketkeeper-batter played a fearless knock, dismantling the Gujarat bowlers with explosive stroke play. Her 64* off 27 balls was a spectacle of power hitting, featuring seven boundaries and four towering sixes. She was well-supported by Kanika Ahuja, who played a blinder of 30* off just 13 deliveries, ensuring RCB crossed the finish line comfortably.

Despite Gujarat’s efforts, their bowlers struggled to contain the aggressive RCB batters. Ashleigh Gardner was the only real threat, picking up two wickets for 33 runs in her three overs, while Deandra Dottin and Sayali Satghare managed a wicket each. However, their inability to apply pressure in the middle overs cost them the game.

Gujarat Giants will take heart from their batting performance but will need to rethink their bowling strategies ahead of their next match. On the other hand, RCB Women have made a statement with this emphatic win, with Richa Ghosh proving to be the match-winner. If she continues this form, RCB could be serious title contenders in the tournament.

Gujarat Giants Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women Scoreboard 

Gujarat Giants Women – 201/5 (20)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women – 202 (18.3/20)

Result – RCB Women won by 6 wickets (with 9 balls remaining)

Player of the match – Richa Ghosh

GG-W vs RCB-W Playing XIs 

Gujarat Giants Women

Beth Mooney (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Deandra Dottin, Simran Shaikh, Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwar, Sayali Satghare, Priya Mishra.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women

Smriti Mandhana (c), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Prema Rawat, VJ Joshitha, Renuka Singh.

Disclaimer: These match highlights reflect the author’s insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the points discussed and form their own conclusions.

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