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- GG vs RCB, WPL Highlights: RCB remain unbeaten after 32-run triumph against Gujarat Giants
GG vs RCB, WPL Highlights: RCB remain unbeaten after 32-run triumph against Gujarat Giants
RCB’s bowlers then came to the fore. Shreyanka Patil produced a stunning five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 23, while England pacer Lauren Bell added three more wickets for 29 runs. Gujarat Giants showed some resistance through Bharti Fulmali’s 39 off 20 balls, but Bell dismissed her in the 17th over, leaving the visitors struggling at 139 for 7. They ultimately fell short, bowled out for 150 in 18.5 overs.
This third successive win for RCB underscores their dominance in WPL 2026. With a combination of experienced Indian players and impactful overseas recruits, they have displayed the perfect balance of resilience and firepower. The team now looks poised to continue their unbeaten run and strengthen their claim for the title.
Radha Yadav joins Gautami Naik.
Renuka Singh Thakur to Smriti Mandhana, OUT! TAKEN! Renuka Singh Thakur has the big fish, Smriti Mandhana! This is a brilliant comeback from Thakur after going for plenty in the first over. Pushed through, full and just outside off. Smriti Mandhana gets tempted by the big booming drive but gets a thick outside edge to short third where Rajeshwari Gayakwad dives to her right and plucks it right above the ground. She does well to hold on despite bumping onto the ground.
Renuka Singh Thakur to Gautami Naik, Keeps it full and in line of the stumps. Gautami Naik wrists it away to square leg for a single.
Renuka Singh Thakur to Smriti Mandhana, Pitched it up, outside off, driven past cover for a single.
- Gautami Naik 4 (2)
- Smriti Mandhana 4 (6)
Kashvee Gautam to Gautami Naik, FOUR! Clean from Naik and she is off the mark in style. Bowls the in-between length, outside off. Gautami Naik punches it sweetly past cover and bags a boundary.
Kashvee Gautam to Gautami Naik, A good length delivery, attacking the stumps. Gautami Naik keeps it out on the off side.
Gautami Naik walks to the middle.
Kashvee Gautam to Dayalan Hemalatha, OUT! Blinder! Shivani Singh picks out of the thin air. How's that for a debut catch? Gujarat Giants build a trap and place short fine leg very fine. Kashvee Gautam surprises with a bumper on middle, hurries on Hemalatha as she pulls it. It goes fine and behind where Shivani Singh stretches her right hand out and the ball sticks in her palms.
Kashvee Gautam to Smriti Mandhana, Pulls her length back slightly and bowls it outside off, Smriti Mandhana guides it to deep point for a single.
Kashvee Gautam to Dayalan Hemalatha, Touch fuller and slanting on middle and leg, Hemalatha turns it to mid-wicket for a single.
Kashvee Gautam to Dayalan Hemalatha, Wide! Swinging a bit too much, down leg. Hemalatha looks to clip but misses.
Kashvee Gautam to Dayalan Hemalatha, Overcooks a bit as Kashvee Gautam bowls it too full and shaping on leg. Hemalatha fails to flick and gets hit on the pads. A stifled appeal follows for LBW but turned down.
- Dayalan Hemalatha 3 (5)
- Smriti Mandhana 3 (5)
Ashleigh Gardner to Dayalan Hemalatha, Flights again, bowls with an angle around off, Hemalatha sweeps it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike.
Ashleigh Gardner to Dayalan Hemalatha, Gives some flight and bowls it outside off, Hemalatha knocks it to cover.
Ashleigh Gardner to Smriti Mandhana, Nipping back in from around the wicket, this is on middle, Smriti Mandhana crunches it past cover for a run.
Ashleigh Gardner to Smriti Mandhana, Bowls in line of the stumps, tossed up. Smriti Mandhana punches it to the right of the bowler.
Ashleigh Gardner to Dayalan Hemalatha, Drifting onto the fuller side on middle and leg, Hemalatha pushes it to mid on for a single.
Ashleigh Gardner to Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner begins with a fuller delivery, outside off, Hemalatha punches it to cover.
- Smriti Mandhana 2 (3)
- Dayalan Hemalatha 1 (1)
Kashvee Gautam to Smriti Mandhana, Swinging into the left-hander, around off, Smriti Mandhana taps it back.
Kashvee Gautam to Dayalan Hemalatha, A good length delivery, on middle, Hemalatha nudges it to deep square leg for a single.
Much better control from Kashvee Gautam and she gets the big wicket. Dayalan Hemalatha replaces Grace Harris.
Kashvee Gautam to Grace Harris, OUT! LBW! Again, is it doing too much? Harris takes the review. Seam shaping on the leg pole as Kashvee Gautam lands it outside off on the fuller side. Harris stays back to work it across but misses and wears it on the back pad. Harris has a chat with Mandhana and takes it upstairs. UltraEdge shows no bat. Ball Tracking shows it is clipping the leg pole. Umpire's call it is. Out it remains.
Kashvee Gautam to Smriti Mandhana, On a driving length, outside off, Smriti Mandhana firmly drives it through cover for a single.
Kashvee Gautam to Grace Harris, Takes the aerial route! Fuller length delibery, swinging in, on middle, Harris hits with the angle to deep mid-wicket, who runs to her left and picks up on a bounce.
Kashvee Gautam to Smriti Mandhana, Overpitches as Kashvee Gautam looks for some swing now, outside off, Smriti Mandhana drives it to deep cover and gets her account underway.
Who'll share the attack? It is Kashvee Gautam.
- Grace Harris 16 (6)
- Smriti Mandhana 0 (0)
Renuka Singh Thakur to Grace Harris, FOUR! How about that for a start! Pitched up, on middle and leg. Grace Harris plays it straight and uppish past mid-wicket and mid on, in the gap for fourth boundary of the first over. 23 runs from the opening over!
Renuka Singh Thakur to Grace Harris, Wide! Renuka Singh Thakur errs once again, swinging down leg, the keeper does well to get a hand on it. Wided.
Renuka Singh Thakur to Grace Harris, FOUR! Not the start Gujarat Giants were looking for at all! Pushes it across and drifting well down leg, Grace Harris just helps it on its way to fine leg and it races away.
Renuka Singh Thakur to Grace Harris, FOUR! Renuka Singh Thakur is unable to find the line! The length is good, this is on middle, shaping in. Grace Harris whips it to deep square leg, wide of the fielder for a boundary.
Renuka Singh Thakur to Grace Harris, Much better from Thakur as she lands it around off, seam shaping on off, Grace Harris nudges it to square leg.
Renuka Singh Thakur to Grace Harris, FOUR! Harris is off the mark. Overpitched, looking it to swing but bowls it on middle and leg. Grace Harris flicks it with great timing past mid-wicket for a boundary.
Renuka Singh Thakur to Grace Harris, Wide! Again, doing too much! Swinging down the leg side, fuller length. Grace Harris fails to flick and a wide is given.
Renuka Singh Thakur to Grace Harris, Oh, that is very close! Grace Harris is ready to walk off but Smriti Mandhana forces her to take the review. No bat involved. Ball Tracking shows the ball goes onto miss the leg pole. The decision has been overturned. That just does a bit too much! Fuller length delivery on middle, swinging in a touch. Grace Harris fails to defend up top and wears it on the pads. Just missing leg and Grace Harris survives.
Renuka Singh Thakur to Grace Harris, FIVE WIDES! That swung a lot! Seam up, full and going down leg, swinging down to. Grace Harris looks to flick but misses and it rolls well past the keeper and to the fine leg fence. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are underway.
Time for the action to unfold. The two umpires are out in the middle. The Gujarat Giants players take their respective positions. Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhana to open for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Renuka Singh Thakur to bowl first. Watch out for the swing early on. Let's begin...
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's captain, Smriti Mandhana, says the toss is never in our hand so they are happy to bat first as they are playing good cricket at this point, so it doesn't matter much. Shares they want to do the basics right, the work ethic has been good, and the players are working hard in the nets, too. Admits they want to play according to the situation and don't want to be limited and play in a certain way. They want to play aggressive and positive cricket. Informs that they are playing the same XI.
Ashleigh Gardner, the captain of Gujarat Giants, says that they will have bowl first and reckons that nothing really changes for them as far as the process goes. Mentions that the wicket is a used one and hopes that the bowlers can get early wickets and set up the game for them. Feels that they haven't bowled poorly but it is all about executing their plans and have a clear mind whether they are trying to stem the flow of runs or pick up wickets. Ends by informing that Shivani Singh comes in to make her debut.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Unchanged Playing XI) - Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (C), Dayalan Hemalatha, Gautami Naik, Richa Ghosh (WK), Nadine De Klerk, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell.
Gujarat Giants (Playing XI) - Beth Mooney (WK), Sophie Devine, Kashvee Gautam, Ashleigh Gardner (C), Shivani Singh (ON DEBUT) (In for Ayushi Soni), Georgia Wareham, Kanika Ahuja, Bharti Fulmali, Tanuja Kanwer, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur.
TOSS - Ashleigh Gardner of Gujarat Giants and Smriti Mandhana of Royal Challengers Bengaluru are ready. Gujarat Giants have won the toss, and they will BOWL first!
With WPL 2026 entering its final stretch, the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Giants promises to be a crucial one. Both teams arrive unbeaten, making this contest a potential marker for the playoff race.
The DY Patil Stadium surface has begun to slow down, but dew is expected to play a role once again. Captains are likely to prefer chasing, knowing conditions improve under lights. Tactical clarity at the toss could influence the outcome significantly.
RCB are expected to stick with their winning combination, while Gujarat may consider a change if Anushka Sharma is deemed fit. With quality players on both sides and form backing them, Friday night’s encounter has all the ingredients of a high-stakes WPL showdown.
Gujarat Giants have also enjoyed a strong start with two wins from two, driven largely by their overseas batters. Sophie Devine, Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Wareham have made immediate impacts, while Anushka Sharma impressed early before missing out due to fitness concerns.
However, their bowling has shown signs of vulnerability. Against Mumbai Indians, a lack of control proved costly, and overall economy rates remain on the higher side. Renuka Singh Thakur has been their most economical bowler, yet even her figures suggest room for improvement.
As the Giants prepare to face an in-form RCB lineup, tightening up with the ball will be a priority. On worn surfaces with dew expected, execution will matter more than ever if they are to stay competitive.
RCB’s opening combination has given them flying starts in both matches. Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhana have set the tone early, ensuring the team stays ahead of the required rate. Their intent has allowed RCB to control chases and put pressure on opposition bowlers from the outset.
Nadine de Klerk’s late flourish in the opener against Mumbai Indians remains one of the standout innings of WPL history, rescuing RCB when they were in trouble. However, the middle order is still largely untested, with limited time spent at the crease so far.
While this is not a concern yet, tougher situations may lie ahead as the tournament progresses. For now, RCB can take comfort from their strong starts and the fact that multiple players have already stepped up when required.
RCB’s bowling has been the cornerstone of their early success in WPL 2026, and Lauren Bell has led that charge superbly. The new recruit has been outstanding from ball one, conceding just 3.75 runs per over, the best economy rate in the tournament so far. Her dot-ball percentage of over 70 reflects her control and discipline.
Bell has been well supported by Nadine de Klerk, who has already picked up six wickets. Together, they have applied sustained pressure, allowing the rest of the attack to operate with freedom. Even on batting-friendly surfaces, RCB’s bowlers have managed to dictate terms.
With pitches at Navi Mumbai beginning to tire, accuracy and patience will be key. RCB’s bowling unit looks well equipped for that challenge, and their ability to strangle runs in the middle overs could once again be decisive against Gujarat Giants.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru could not have asked for a better start to WPL 2026. Two matches, two wins, and two very different performances have underlined the depth and balance in their squad.
A last-ball comeback win against Mumbai Indians showed composure under pressure, while the dominant victory over UP Warriorz highlighted their ability to control a game from start to finish.
These contrasting wins have boosted confidence within the camp. RCB have found ways to win even when not everything has gone to plan, a sign of a side growing in belief. As the tournament reaches its decisive phase, momentum could prove crucial, and RCB appear to have it firmly on their side.
Heading into the clash against Gujarat Giants at DY Patil Stadium, Bengaluru will look to extend their winning run and further strengthen their position on the table. With no major selection concerns, they have the luxury of continuity, something few teams enjoy at this stage of the competition.
The RCB bowling unit delivered in style, with spinner Shreyanka Patil producing a match-winning performance of 5 for 23 to dismantle the Gujarat Giants’ batting line-up. England pacer Lauren Bell supported well with 3 for 29, and despite a quickfire 39 from Bharti Fulmali, Gujarat Giants could not recover, finishing 150 all out in 18.5 overs.
The victory marks RCB’s third consecutive win in WPL 2026, highlighting their balanced combination of experienced Indian stars and overseas talent. With both batting and bowling firing, RCB have sent a clear message to the competition as they look to maintain momentum and chase their maiden WPL title.
Match Statistics
Venue
Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
