Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their WPL playoff spot with a comprehensive 61-run demolition of Gujarat Giants on Monday at BCA Stadium, Vadodara. Gujarat’s campaign hangs by a thread after a performance marred by sloppy fielding, as captain Ashley Gardner voiced deep frustration over dropped catches.
RCB’s innings was a masterclass in T20 batting. Choosing to bat, they reached 178/6, with Gautami Naik’s elegant 73 the standout effort. Richa Ghosh chipped in 27 crucial runs. Gujarat’s Kashvi Gautam and Ashley Gardner picked up two wickets each, but leaks in the bowling proved costly.
Target in sight, Gujarat faltered dramatically, bowled out for 117/8 in 20 overs. Gardner fought valiantly with 54 off 43, outshining teammate Anushka Sharma’s 18. RCB’s bowlers shone brightest—Sayali’s 3-wicket haul and Nadine de Klerk’s brace turned the match.
In presser, Gardner laid bare the pain points. ‘Disappointing loss. Those dropped catches and extra runs—they’re killing us in tight moments.’ The pitch’s variable bounce threw a curveball: ‘We needed to exploit it, but bounce was inconsistent. Against Smriti, I felt confident—pushing her to play across, aware of her square strength.’
Silver linings emerged amid despair. ‘Two games left—we must win both. Lessons aplenty from today, though standing defeated isn’t ideal.’ As RCB celebrates progression, Gujarat faces a steep climb, demanding flawless cricket to rebound in the high-stakes league.