WPL 2025: Ellyse Perry-Richa Ghosh Guide RCB To A Stunning Chase Against Gujarat Giants

In a thrilling opener to the Women’s Premier League 2025 (WPL 2025), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) chased down a formidable target of 202 with nine balls to spare, securing a six-wicket victory over Gujarat Giants at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara.

Richa Ghosh was the standout performer, guiding RCB to victory with a breathtaking unbeaten 64 off just 27 deliveries.

Gujarat Giants, after being put to bat first, began with a measured approach, recognizing the need to build a solid foundation. However, they found themselves under early pressure as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bowlers made early inroads. 

Rocky Start For Gujarat Giants

Laura Wolvaardt, a key pillar in Gujarat’s top order, struggled to find her rhythm on a surface that offered a bit of movement for the pacers. Her timing was off, and she failed to rotate the strike effectively. 

CASTLED 🎯

Renuka Singh Thakur with the first wicket of #TATAWPL season 3 🔥

Laura Wolvaardt departs.

Live – https://t.co/jjI6oXJcBI #TATAWPL #GGvRCB pic.twitter.com/hVljsewUru

— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) February 14, 2025

Renuka Singh, known for her ability to generate seam movement with the new ball, capitalized on Wolvaardt’s hesitancy, trapping her in the fifth over with a sharp delivery that seamed away just enough to induce an edge. Wolvaardt departed for a sluggish 6, leaving Gujarat at 30/1.

The early breakthrough bolstered RCB’s confidence, and they tightened the screws further when Kanika Ahuja struck soon after, dismissing Dayalan Hemalatha for a mere 4 runs. Hemalatha, who had played a crucial supporting role in previous matches, failed to make an impact this time. 

Ahuja, who was introduced into the attack to keep things tight in the middle overs, delivered a well-disguised length ball that induced a mistimed stroke. The catch was safely pouched, leaving Gujarat at a precarious 41/2 by the seventh over.

Beth Mooney’s Knock Of Impetus

With two early wickets down, Gujarat needed stability, and it was their Beth Mooney, who took charge of rebuilding the innings. A left-handed stroke-maker with immense composure, Mooney showcased her class by steering the innings with calculated aggression. She played each delivery on its merit, finding gaps efficiently and keeping the scoreboard ticking. 

Her innings of 56 off 42 balls was built on precision and placement rather than brute force, featuring eight boundaries, most of which came through elegant drives and well-timed flicks. However, just as she was looking set for an even bigger impact, she fell in the 12th over to a clever piece of bowling by Prema Rawat. 

Mooney’s dismissal put Gujarat at a crossroads, but what followed was nothing short of a batting spectacle.

Ashleigh Gardner Takes Charge

That’s when newly appointed captain Ashleigh Gardner took centre stage, shifting the momentum dramatically in Gujarat’s favour. The Australian all-rounder walked in with the intent of dictating terms, launching an audacious counterattack that stunned the RCB bowlers. She wasted no time settling in, finding her timing almost immediately. 

6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣ 🚀#GG captain Ashleigh Gardner flexing her muscles with a hat-trick of sixes 💪💥

She also brings up her FIFTY off just 25 deliveries.

Live 👉 https://t.co/jjI6oXJcBI #TATAWPL | #GGvRCB pic.twitter.com/1bRXNJ3Bep

— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) February 14, 2025

Gardner’s 79 off just 37 balls was an exhibition of fearless stroke play, blending sheer power with impeccable placement. Her innings was highlighted by three crisp boundaries and a staggering eight towering sixes. 

She targeted the spinners mercilessly, dancing down the track to loft them into the stands while also using the depth of the crease to carve out gaps. Gardner’s presence at the crease completely changed the complexion of the game as Gujarat’s scoring rate skyrocketed.

Deandra Dottin’s Crucial Cameo

Deandra Dottin, known for her explosive batting, complemented Gardner perfectly, adding more firepower to Gujarat’s innings. She played a short yet impactful cameo, smashing 25 off just 13 balls, ensuring that the pressure never eased on the RCB bowlers. The duo’s partnership proved to be the turning point, as they exploited every loose delivery and sent the run rate soaring past 10 an over.

As the innings neared its conclusion, Gujarat continued their late onslaught. Simran Shaikh contributed a brisk 11 off just five balls, striking a crucial boundary in the death overs. Harleen Deol, too, played a handy role, finishing unbeaten on 9 off 4 deliveries. Their contributions ensured Gujarat’s total breached the 200-run mark, ultimately posting a daunting 201/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

On the bowling front, Renuka Singh was the standout performer for RCB. She displayed excellent control, finishing with figures of 2 for 25 in her four-over spell. Her disciplined lines and ability to extract movement with the new ball made her the most economical bowler of the night. 

Kanika Ahuja and Prema Rawat chipped in with a wicket each, providing crucial breakthroughs at key moments. However, Georgia Wareham had a forgettable outing, conceding a costly 50 runs in her three-over spell. Despite managing to dismiss Simran Shaikh, she struggled with her lengths and variations, allowing Gujarat’s batters to capitalize.

The death overs were particularly punishing for RCB, as they conceded 53 runs in the final four overs. Gujarat’s aggressive intent and well-calculated acceleration proved too much for the RCB bowlers, leaving them with a monumental chase ahead.

Set a daunting target of 202, RCB knew they needed a solid start to keep up with the steep asking rate. However, Gujarat Giants’ bowlers, particularly Ashleigh Gardner, had other plans.

Gardner’s Twin Strikes Leave RCB Reeling

RCB’s chase began on a shaky note as their star-studded opening duo—Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge—failed to provide the aggressive start that was expected. Mandhana, known for her graceful stroke play, looked to impose herself early but was undone by Gardner’s sharp off-spin. 

𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 ✌️

First with the bat and now with the ball 👏👏#GG captain Ash Gardner is on an absolute roll ⚡️

Live- https://t.co/5E1LoAlPBt #TATAWPL | #GGvRCB | @Giant_Cricket pic.twitter.com/N2CWlVtOAJ

— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) February 14, 2025

Attempting an expansive drive against a turning delivery, she failed to get the required elevation and ended up chipping a catch straight to extra cover. Her early dismissal for 9 off 7 balls put immediate pressure on the visitors.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge, playing her first match for RCB, also failed to make an impact. The English batter, known for her attacking approach, struggled to negotiate Gardner’s variations. Attempting to take on the off-spinner, she mistimed a lofted shot and was caught at mid-on for just 4 off 4 balls. In the blink of an eye, RCB found themselves at a precarious 14/2 inside two overs, with Gujarat sensing an early opportunity to take control.

With two early wickets down, the onus fell on Ellyse Perry, one of the most dependable all-rounders in world cricket. Walking in with the scoreboard looking grim, Perry exuded calmness and authority. She assessed the situation swiftly, choosing to consolidate rather than go for reckless shots.

Utilizing her vast experience, Perry expertly rotated the strike while punishing the occasional loose delivery. She played elegant cover drives, powerful pull shots, and deft late cuts, ensuring RCB didn’t fall too far behind the required rate. Her partnership with Raghvi Bist brought much-needed stability to the innings.

Bist, a composed middle-order batter, complemented Perry’s aggression with a steady 25 off 27 balls. While she didn’t score at an explosive rate, her ability to hold one end allowed Perry to play freely. Together, the duo rebuilt the innings, steering RCB to 100/3 at the halfway mark—a position from which they could launch their attack.

However, just as Perry was looking set for an even bigger score, Gujarat struck a crucial blow. Attempting to clear the boundary off Sayali Satghare’s delivery, Perry mistimed her shot, and the ball soared high before landing safely in the hands of the deep mid-wicket fielder.

She departed for a well-compiled 57 off 34 balls, striking six fours and two sixes. At 109/4 in the 13th over, the match was delicately poised, with Gujarat sensing an opportunity to apply pressure.

Richa Ghosh’s Masterclass

Just when Gujarat looked like they had clawed their way back into the contest, Richa Ghosh flipped the script in emphatic fashion. Walking in with RCB needing 93 off 45 balls, Ghosh wasted no time in getting into her groove. She unleashed an array of breathtaking shots, showcasing her brute power and fearless approach.

Targeting both spinners and pacers alike, Ghosh dismantled Gujarat’s bowling attack with ease. Her fearless stroke play saw her dispatching full deliveries over midwicket and hammering short balls through cover with impeccable timing.

She brought up her fifty in just 23 balls, finishing with a staggering unbeaten 62 off just 26 balls at a phenomenal strike rate of 237.03.

Supporting her on the other end was Kanika Ahuja, who played the perfect second fiddle with a blistering 30 off just 13 balls. Ahuja ensured the momentum never wavered, picking up crucial boundaries in between Ghosh’s explosive hitting.

A Record-Breaking Stand Seals the Win

The pair put together an unbeaten 93-run partnership off just 39 balls, completely dismantling Gujarat’s bowling attack. Their assault in the final few overs meant RCB never let the required rate spiral out of control.

𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 👌👌

Richa Ghosh does it in style for #RCB 😍

This is also the highest successful run-chase in #TATAWPL history🔥

Scorecard👉 https://t.co/jjI6oXJcBI #GGvRCB | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/9Ea3gJ6JP1

— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) February 14, 2025

Ghosh’s fearless approach saw her hammering seven boundaries and four massive sixes, while Ahuja’s quickfire innings ensured there was no respite for Gujarat’s bowlers.

RCB crossed the target in just 18.3 overs, completing a sensational chase with nine balls to spare.

Gujarat’s Bowling Struggles

While Ashleigh Gardner was the only bowler who managed to exert some control, finishing with 2 for 33 in her three overs, the rest of the Gujarat bowling lineup faltered under pressure. Deandra Dottin managed to pick up a wicket but was expensive, conceding over 10 runs per over.

Sayali Satghare, despite taking the crucial wicket of Perry, struggled with consistency. Georgia Wareham, who had an off-day with the ball, continued to leak runs, making Gujarat’s task even harder.

The biggest problem for Gujarat was their inability to contain the flow of runs in the death overs. The last five overs saw RCB plundering over 75 runs, making it nearly impossible for Gujarat to stage a comeback.

Unsurprisingly, Richa Ghosh was adjudged the Player of the Match for her breathtaking knock that single-handedly turned the game in RCB’s favor. Her aggressive intent, fearless hitting, and ability to absorb pressure made the difference in this high-scoring encounter.

With this commanding six-wicket win, RCB Women have made a resounding statement in their campaign, showing their depth in batting and their ability to chase down mammoth totals.

This match serves as a harsh reality check for Gujarat Giants, highlighting their need to strengthen their bowling and death-over strategies before their next outing.

Brief Scores: WPL 2025 – Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Match 1

Gujarat Giants: 201/5 in 20 overs (Ashleigh Gardner 79, Beth Mooney 56; Renuka Singh 2/25, Kanika Ahuja 1/32) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 204/4 in 18.3 overs (Richa Ghosh 71*, Ellyse Perry 57; Ashleigh Gardner 2/33, Deandra Dottin 1/29) by 6 wickets.

Click Here to get the latest news related to Women’s Cricket. You can also check about Match predictions here. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more updates.