Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued to dominate, registering their fifth consecutive win to cement their place in Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 playoffs. The defending champions were clinical in their approach, beating Gujarat Giants by a huge margin on 61 runs at BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara on January 19. After the defeat Giants skipper Ashleigh Gardner admitted she was frustrated in the run chase as she missed plenty of chances to score in an attempt to go hard at the bowlers.
“I was pretty angry out there to be honest (smiles). I think it was obvious. I was really frustrated. I felt like I was either hitting good shots to the fielders or just missing the ball. And like I mentioned before, I felt like they didn't necessarily pay for when they missed the stumps, where I think that bowling innings, every time that we bowled wide, we kind of went into the boundary. So I guess, upon reflection, I was probably just trying a little bit too hard to shock. I think for me going forward, it's making sure that you just hit nice cricket shots,” Gardner said in the post-match presentation.
Another collapse, 3 defeats in a row for Gujarat Giants
The Australian all-rounder lacked support in the run chase of 179. Gujarat Giants lost three wickets for five runs in first three overs. Sayali Satghare dismissed both openers – Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine whereas an in-form Lauren Bell sent Kanika Ahuja packing for a three-ball duck. Even in the middle overs, Giants kept on losing wickets. In the 13th over, they were 56/6.
Gardner batted with the lower order and the tail. She hit five fours and a six in her 43-ball 54 but could not take Giants close to the target. This was Giants' third consecutive defeat of the season and second against RCB.
“I just think we're just not winning those small moments, whether it's in the field where you're taking chances and then people go on to make decent scores. I think tonight when they missed the stumps, we didn't capitalise on them. But as soon as we left the stumps, they capitalised on them. So, it's just those small moments that we're not winning at the moment. You know, we're two or three, so it's pretty obvious that we need to win these last three games. Overall, it's pretty frustrating,” Gardner said.
Giants look to end losing streak
Gujarat Giants are currently placed fourth on the points table. They will take on UP Warriorz in their next clash on January 22 in an attempt to end their losing streak. UP Warriorz have three losses from five games as well but have a better net run rate.