Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) extended their winning streak in the ongoing Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 with a convincing 32-run victory over Gujarat Giants (GG) on January 16. The foundation for the win was laid by splendid batting from Radha Yadav and Richa Ghosh, who scored 66 and 44 respectively to rescue RCB from an early collapse and propel the team to a formidable 182/7.
The defense of that total was spearheaded by a sensational bowling display from Shreyanka Patil. Her clinical five-wicket haul dismantled the Giants' lineup, preventing them from ever gaining the upper hand in the chase. Under immense pressure at the DY Patil Stadium, GG were ultimately bundled out for 150 handed RCB a hat-trick of wins.
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Shreyanka Patil annihilates GG with fiery fifer
GG's pursuit of 182 began with a display of aggressive intent, led by opener Beth Mooney. She signaled her ambitions by flicking Lauren Bell for a boundary off the very first ball, while Sophie Devine followed suit by dispatching Linsey Smith for two fours in the subsequent over. Mooney continued her assault by clobbering Bell over mid-off for a six and finishing the same over with consecutive boundaries, briefly putting the Giants in a commanding position.
However, the momentum shifted abruptly as RCB began to strike back. Arundhati Reddy drew first blood by dismissing Devine with a sharp caught-and-bowled, and Shreyanka followed up with the massive wicket of a well-set Mooney, trapping her LBW. The Giants' situation worsened when captain Ashleigh Gardner was caught behind by Richa Ghosh off the bowling of Lauren Bell, leaving the chase in tatters.
Despite the mounting pressure, Kanika Ahuja attempted a brief counter-attack with back-to-back boundaries before becoming another LBW victim of Patil's clinical spell. As wickets continued to fall with alarming regularity, Georgia Wareham’s departure left the Giants reeling at 70 for 5. Although Bharti Fulmali provided a late spark of resistance with a spirited 39 off just 20 deliveries, the lower-order fightback proved insufficient to bridge the gap.
Shreyanka Patil ultimately proved to be the difference-maker, finishing with spectacular figures of 5 for 23 to secure the victory. Her dominance, supported by Lauren Bell’s three wickets, ensured that the Giants were bowled out for 150. This result further cements RCB's reputation as a bowling powerhouse in the tournament, while leaving the Giants to reflect on a middle-order collapse that derailed a promising start.
Radha Yadav-Richa Ghosh burn bright for RCB
Earlier, batting first RCB's top order crumbled, losing four wickets for just 43 runs within the first six overs. The team appeared to be at risk of being bowled out for a sub-150 total until two Indian national team mainstays, Radha Yadav and Richa Ghosh, staged a vital recovery.
Radha Yadav played a composed and impactful innings, scoring 66 runs off 47 balls with six boundaries and three sixes. She found an ideal partner in Richa Ghosh, who provided the aggression with a brisk 44 off 28 deliveries. Together, the duo shared a massive 105-run partnership for the fifth wicket, shifting the momentum entirely. This recovery was further bolstered by a late-innings flourish from Nadine de Klerk, who smashed 26 runs off just 12 balls to propel RCB to a competitive total of 182/7.