The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 witnessed a monumental clash in Vadodara as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) scripted history with the highest successful chase in the tournament’s history.
Chasing a mammoth 202, RCB pulled off a sensational turnaround, courtesy of a breathtaking finish from Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja. The defending champions displayed resilience and firepower, ensuring their dominance in the league while leaving Gujarat Giants stunned despite Ashleigh Gardner’s explosive innings earlier in the match.
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Early Struggles and a Fiery Start
RCB’s chase began on a rocky note when their captain, Smriti Mandhana, who had struck back-to-back boundaries to set the tone, was dismissed for a mere 8 runs. The dismissal was a familiar sight, as Gardner got the better of her yet again, extending her head-to-head advantage in T20s to nine dismissals. Things quickly worsened when debutant Danni Wyatt-Hodge departed in the same over while attempting an ambitious slog.
Despite these setbacks, Ellyse Perry stood tall, anchoring the innings with composure. The Giants, however, were guilty of squandering opportunities, dropping Perry twice—once on 2 and again on 19. Perry capitalized on these let-offs, scoring a crucial 57 before falling at a critical juncture. With her dismissal, RCB found themselves needing 93 off just 46 deliveries, an uphill task that seemed almost impossible.
Gujarat Giants’ Power-Packed Batting Performance
Earlier in the evening, Gujarat Giants posted a commanding 202, driven by a belligerent innings from their captain, Ashleigh Gardner. Her unbeaten 79 off 37 balls was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring three fours and eight sixes. Beth Mooney also played a pivotal role, shifting gears effectively and bringing up her half-century in 37 balls.
Mooney’s attacking approach saw her take on Georgia Wareham, smashing three consecutive boundaries after surviving an lbw scare via DRS. However, her aggressive intent proved costly when she perished for 56 while attempting another big shot.
Gardner, alongside Deandra Dottin, then turned up the heat. Dottin’s arrival injected fresh energy into the innings, as she wasted no time in dispatching Kim Garth for boundaries. The duo stitched together a blistering 63-run stand off just 26 deliveries.
Gardner’s relentless onslaught saw her demolish young Prema Rawat with three consecutive sixes over long-off, long-on, and deep backward square leg. She then continued the carnage against Wareham, ensuring Giants ended with a flourish, smashing 49 runs in the final three overs.
Richa Ghosh and Ahuja Flip the Script
When Richa Ghosh walked in to bat in the 12th over, RCB still required a daunting 101 off 53 balls. She was given an early reprieve, dropped first ball at deep midwicket—a mistake that would haunt Gujarat Giants.
What followed was a masterclass in calculated aggression. Ghosh’s intent was evident as she began targeting the bowlers, and the defining moment came in the 16th over when she launched an all-out attack on Gardner. Smashing four boundaries and a six in the over, she extracted 23 crucial runs, flipping the momentum in RCB’s favor.
Kanika Ahuja, the young left-hander, played the perfect supporting role. Her fearless approach complemented Ghosh’s power-hitting, and together, they orchestrated an unbeaten 93-run partnership off just 37 deliveries.
Ghosh reached her half-century in just 23 balls, showcasing a perfect blend of brute force and finesse. Ahuja, too, unleashed her attacking instincts, scoring 30 off 13 balls, ensuring RCB wrapped up the chase with nine balls to spare.
A Record-Breaking Triumph for RCB
RCB’s victory was not just another win—it was a statement. The successful chase of 202 now stands as the highest in WPL history, highlighting the evolution of power-hitting and fearless cricket in the women’s game.
After the match, Ghosh reflected on the chase, stating, “I just wanted to back myself and play my natural game. Kanika was brilliant, and together, we just focused on keeping the scoreboard ticking.”
The thrilling encounter also shed light on the importance of fielding, as Gujarat Giants’ multiple dropped catches proved to be their downfall.
With this emphatic win, RCB have set the tone for their title defense. The performance of Ghosh and Ahuja has further cemented the team’s strength in the middle order, making them a formidable force in the tournament. This victory also propels RCB to the top of the table with two points and a healthy Net Run Rate (NRR), giving them an early advantage in the competition.
For Gujarat Giants, introspection is necessary. While their batting remains a force to reckon with, their sloppy fielding and inability to close out the match will be concerns moving forward.
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FAQs
What is the highest successful run chase in WPL history?
The highest successful run chase in WPL history was achieved by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in WPL 2025, when they chased down 202 runs against Gujarat Giants in Vadodara.
How did RCB pull off the record-breaking chase?
RCB’s stunning comeback was powered by Richa Ghosh’s unbeaten 64 off 26 balls and Kanika Ahuja’s quickfire 30 off 13 balls, as they stitched together a 93-run stand in just 37 deliveries.
What was Ashleigh Gardner’s impact on the game?
Ashleigh Gardner played a brilliant knock of 79* off 37 balls and also dismissed Smriti Mandhana, but her 16th over, where Richa Ghosh smashed 23 runs, turned the match in RCB’s favor.
Where does RCB stand in the WPL 2025 points table after this win?
With this victory, RCB moved to the top of the WPL 2025 points table with two points and a strong Net Run Rate (NRR).
What went wrong for Gujarat Giants despite posting 202 runs?
Gujarat Giants’ fielding errors, including multiple dropped catches and missed opportunities, allowed RCB to build momentum and ultimately chase down the target with nine balls to spare.
