Defending Champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) started their Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 campaign with a bang as they scripted history with a record win over Gujarat Giants (GG) on February 14, Friday at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Chasing a challenging target of 202, the RCB batters put on a stellar show and helped RCB pull off the highest-ever run chase in WPL's history.
Richa Ghosh sealed the victory for RCB with a six, as they chased down the 202-run target in just 18.3 overs. She reached her half-century in a mere 23 balls and remained unbeaten on a blistering 64 runs off just 27 deliveries, hitting seven fours and four sixes. Ghosh also emerged as RCB's highest scorer in this opening match.
As the defending WPL champions, having won the trophy last season against Delhi Capitals women, RCB have started their title defense in impressive fashion. Their successful chase surpassed the previous record for the highest run chase, held by the Mumbai Indians. Despite the strong finish, RCB's chase got off to a shaky start, losing two quick wickets early on. Gujarat Giants captain Ash Gardner dismissed both Smriti Mandhana (9) and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge (9) cheaply, putting RCB under early pressure.
Ellyse Perry and Raghvi Bisht orchestrated a crucial recovery for RCB, putting together a remarkable 86-run partnership. Perry took on the aggressor role, while Bisht played a more cautious game, ensuring she didn't give the Gujarat Giants an opportunity to capitalise. Perry reached her fifty before being dismissed for a well-played 57 runs, which included six fours and two sixes. Bisht contributed a valuable 25 runs before her dismissal.
Just as it seemed the Gujarat Giants had regained some momentum with two new batters at the crease, RCB responded with an even stronger performance, quickly closing out the match. Richa Ghosh then exploded onto the scene, smashing a lightning-fast fifty and delivering a match-winning, unbeaten knock of 64 runs. She formed an outstanding 93-run partnership with Kanika Ahuja, who also played a crucial role with a quickfire 30 runs off just 13 balls, sealing the victory for RCB.
Earlier in the match, Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner had smashed a quickfire 79 runs off 37 deliveries, including an impressive 8 sixes and 3 fours. Beth Mooney also scored a solid 56 runs off 42 balls, hitting 8 boundaries. For RCB, Renuka Singh was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets and conceding only 25 runs in her 4 overs.
This was record for the highest-ever run chase in the league. Previously, both the Mumbai Indians and the Gujarat Giants had achieved successful chases of 191 runs. The Mumbai Indians reached this target against the Gujarat Giants on March 9, 2023, while the Gujarat Giants achieved the same feat against RCB on March 8, 2023.