Navi Mumbai, January 16, 2026 — In a thrilling Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 encounter at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their dominant run by defeating the Gujarat Giants Women by 32 runs to stay unbeaten in the competition.
Match Summary
After winning the toss, RCB elected to bat and were in early trouble, slipping to 43/4 inside the sixth over as Gujarat’s bowlers struck with regularity. However, a remarkable rescue act changed the match’s momentum.
- Radha Yadav emerged as the star with the bat, scoring 66 runs off 47 balls with a mix of clever placement and aggression.
- Richa Ghosh complemented her well, contributing 44 off 28 deliveries in a crucial fifth-wicket partnership worth 105 runs, which steadied RCB’s innings after the early collapse.
- Royal Challengers posted a competitive 182/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Giants’ Chase and RCB’s Bowling Masterclass
Chasing 183 for victory, the Gujarat Giants faltered under pressure:
- Their top order struggled to build partnerships, and despite a lively cameo from Bharti Fulmali (39 off 20), the side could only muster 150 all out in 18.5 overs.
- The match-turning spell came from Shreyanka Patil, whose controlled bowling earned her a remarkable five-wicket haul (5/23) — the defining influence in restricting Gujarat’s chase.
- England pacer Lauren Bell also played her part, finishing with 3/29, giving RCB bowlers eight wickets between them.
Key Performers of the Match
| Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Radha Yadav | RCB | 66 (47) — top score |
| Richa Ghosh | RCB | 44 (28) — crucial support |
| Shreyanka Patil | RCB | 5/23 — match-winning bowling |
| Lauren Bell | RCB | 3/29 — key bowling figures |
| Bharti Fulmali | GG | 39 (20) — leading score for Gujarat |
Tactical Insights
RCB’s resilience under pressure, especially after being reduced to a precarious 43/4, highlighted their depth and temperament. The team’s ability to recover with the bat and then apply sustained pressure with the ball shows the balanced composition of their squad — blending experienced campaigners with effective all-round performances.
For Gujarat, the inability to consolidate after winning the chase toss and the early batter collapses underlined the challenge they face in building consistent partnerships, something that will be critical as the tournament progresses.
Standings and Implications
With this victory, RCB have claimed three straight wins, placing them firmly atop the WPL 2026 standings and reinforcing their credentials as serious contenders for the title.
For the Gujarat Giants, this result will be a setback, but there’s still room for course-correction in the season. Rebounding will require improvement in their middle order as well as tighter bowling to support their batting talents.
Looking Ahead
Both teams will now shift focus toward their next fixtures, where RCB aim to maintain momentum and stay unbeaten, while the Giants will be eager to return to form and stay competitive in the league standings.
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Last Updated on: Saturday, January 17, 2026 1:20 pm by Praneetha Kattamidi | Published by: Praneetha Kattamidi on Saturday, January 17, 2026 1:20 pm | News Categories: Startups
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