Gautami Naik played a superb knock to help Royal Challengers Bengaluru register a convincing 61-run win over Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League on Monday. The victory sealed a top-three finish for RCB and confirmed their place in the knock-out stage.
Still unbeaten in the tournament, RCB continued their strong run with their fifth straight win, becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs.
RCB off too a bad start
Asked to bat first, the table-toppers had a shaky start. Grace Harris and Georgia Voll were both dismissed inside the first two overs, leaving RCB struggling at 9 for 2. Naik then stepped in and steadied the innings, guiding her team to a competitive total of 178 for 6.
GT's chase
Gujarat Giants never really got going in the chase. They lost four wickets for just 34 runs within the first seven overs and were always playing catch-up after that. Big names like Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Anushka Sharma and Kanika Ahuja failed to make an impact, while Kshvee Gautam and Georgia Wareham also couldn’t turn things around.
Skipper Ashleigh Gardner fought back with a 54 off 43 balls, hitting five fours and a six, while Bharti Fulmali chipped in with 14. However, the partnership wasn’t enough, and Gujarat Giants were restricted to 117 for 8 in their 20 overs.
Sayali Satghare picked up the wickets
Sayali Satghare once again impressed with the ball, finishing as RCB’s best bowler with figures of 3 for 21. She received good support from Nadine de Klerk, who picked up two wickets for 17 runs.
Smriti Mandhana, Gautami Naik's stand
Earlier in the innings, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana and Naik added 60 runs for the third wicket to rebuild after the early setbacks. Mandhana scored 26 off 23 balls before being trapped in front by Gardner following a successful review.
Naik then put together a crucial 69-run stand with Richa Ghosh for the fourth wicket. Naik anchored the partnership, while Ghosh played her shots freely, smashing three sixes in her 27 off 20 balls.
Naik’s impressive innings came to an end in the 18th over when she was bowled by Gardner. Radha Yadav provided the finishing touches with a quick 17 off 8 balls, helping RCB reach a strong total.