Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their impressive unbeaten streak in the Women’s Premier League 2026 with a commanding 32-run victory over Gujarat Giants at the DY Patil Stadium on January 16, 2026. The match showcased resilience, brilliance with both bat and ball, and confirmed RCB as the only team remaining undefeated in the tournament.
Table of Contents
Match Summary
Match Details:
- Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
- Date: January 16, 2026
- Toss: Gujarat Giants won and elected to field
- Result: RCB Women won by 32 runs
Scorecard:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 182/7 in 20 overs
- Gujarat Giants: 150 all out in 18.5 overs
Player of the Match: Radha Yadav (66 runs off 47 balls)
MVP: Radha Yadav (77.79 impact points)
RCB’s Rocky Start in WPL 2026 Encounter
The ninth match of WPL 2026 began disastrously for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After Gujarat Giants opted to field first, their bowlers struck early and often during the powerplay. Kashvee Gautam delivered the first blow by trapping the dangerous Grace Harris lbw with a menacing inswinger. The momentum shifted further when debutant Shivani Singh showcased exceptional fielding skills, taking a stunning one-handed catch at short fine leg to dismiss Dayalan Hemalatha.
RCB captain Smriti Mandhana couldn’t provide the stability her team desperately needed, slicing a catch to short third off Renuka Singh’s bowling. Sophie Devine then completed the powerplay carnage by having Gautami Naik plumb in front, leaving the Bengaluru franchise reeling at 43 for 4. The early collapse had put RCB in serious jeopardy, raising questions about whether they could post a competitive total.
The Radha-Richa Masterclass
When all seemed lost for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, two Indian stars stepped up to orchestrate one of the most memorable partnerships in WPL 2026. Radha Yadav, promoted to number five, joined wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh at the crease with the team in disarray. What followed was a batting exhibition that turned the match on its head.
The duo initially focused on consolidation, carefully negotiating the Gujarat Giants bowling attack. After two cautious overs, Radha unleashed her attacking instincts by targeting Georgia Wareham, dispatching her for a six and a four. This aggression proved contagious as both batters found their rhythm.
The statistics from their partnership tell a remarkable story. Radha Yadav crafted a magnificent 66 off 47 deliveries, studded with boundaries, while Richa Ghosh contributed a vital 44. Together, they assembled a match-defining 105-run partnership off just 66 balls, rescuing RCB from 43 for 4 to a much healthier 148. Every over from the eighth to the seventeenth contained at least one boundary, demonstrating their complete dominance during this crucial phase.
The pair showed remarkable shot selection, with all their boundaries coming through the off side. They punished width mercilessly, employing cuts, cover drives, and square drives with clinical precision. Radha reached her maiden WPL fifty in the 15th over, by which point Ghosh had accelerated the scoring rate considerably. This century partnership became only the second between two Indian batters in WPL history, underlining its significance.
De Klerk’s Explosive Finale
After Ghosh departed, Nadine de Klerk provided the perfect finishing touch to RCB’s innings. The all-rounder unleashed a boundary barrage that left Gujarat Giants shell-shocked. Her brief but brutal cameo of 26 runs from just 12 deliveries featured spectacular hitting.
De Klerk reserved her best for the 19th over, savaging Kashvee Gautam for 22 runs that included two fours and two sixes. Her aggressive approach capitalized on some fortune, as Ashleigh Gardner dropped a crucial catch earlier. RCB eventually posted 182 for 7, a total that seemed improbable when they were four wickets down inside the powerplay.
Gujarat Giants’ Powerplay Response
Gujarat Giants began their chase with intent, determined to capitalize on the small boundaries and quick outfield at DY Patil Stadium. Lauren Bell struggled with her lines in the opening overs, allowing Beth Mooney to find the boundary regularly. Mooney flicked the very first ball for four and then plundered 16 runs off Bell’s second over, including a six and two fours.
Sophie Devine joined Mooney in the assault as the Giants raced to 32 without loss. However, the introduction of Arundhati Reddy changed the complexion of the chase. Reddy took a sharp return catch to dismiss the dangerous Devine, providing RCB with their breakthrough. Shreyanka Patil then trapped Mooney lbw in the next over, utilizing the angle from around the wicket to devastating effect.
Patil’s Five-Wicket Haul Seals Victory
Shreyanka Patil emerged as the destroyer-in-chief during Gujarat Giants’ chase. The spinner continued her wicket-taking spree by dismissing Kanika Ahuja lbw, again employing the around-the-wicket angle to beat the batter’s defence. At 70 for 5, the Giants’ chase appeared dead and buried.
Bharti Fulmali and Kashvee Gautam attempted a spirited fightback, with Fulmali particularly aggressive against anything full. She cleared the boundaries with ease, keeping her team’s hopes alive. RCB dropped two crucial chances during this period, first when Smriti Mandhana spilled Fulmali off Arundhati Reddy’s bowling in the 13th over, and then when Reddy dropped Kashvee off de Klerk in the 15th over.
However, Patil returned to break the partnership, dismissing Kashvee with a loopy delivery that was caught at long-on. Lauren Bell then struck twice in quick succession, foxing Fulmali with a slower ball before bowling another slower delivery to dismiss Shivani Singh two balls later.
Patil completed her magnificent five-wicket haul in the 19th over, finishing with exceptional figures of 5 for 23. Lauren Bell provided excellent support with 3 for 29 as Gujarat Giants were bowled out for 150 in 18.5 overs.
Key Performances and Match Statistics
RCB Batting Highlights:
- Radha Yadav: 66 runs off 47 balls
- Richa Ghosh: 44 runs
- Nadine de Klerk: 26 runs off 12 balls
- Fifth-wicket partnership: 105 runs off 66 balls
Gujarat Giants Bowling:
- Sophie Devine: 3 wickets for 31 runs
- Multiple early breakthroughs during powerplay
RCB Bowling Highlights:
- Shreyanka Patil: 5 wickets for 23 runs
- Lauren Bell: 3 wickets for 29 runs
- Arundhati Reddy: 1 wicket for 31 runs
Gujarat Giants Batting:
- Bharti Fulmali: 39 runs off 20 balls
- Beth Mooney: 27 runs off 14 balls
- Tanuja Kanwar: 21 runs off 13 balls
WPL 2026 Table Position
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB Women | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1.828 |
| MI Women | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.469 |
| GG Women | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -0.319 |
| DC Women | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -0.833 |
| UPW Women | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -0.906 |
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FAQs
Who won the match between RCB and Gujarat Giants in WPL 2026?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 32 runs, defending their total of 182/7 by bowling out Gujarat Giants for 150.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Radha Yadav received the Player of the Match award for her crucial 66 runs off 47 balls that rescued RCB from 43/4.
What was Shreyanka Patil’s bowling performance?
Shreyanka Patil took 5 wickets for 23 runs, her maiden five-wicket haul, helping restrict Gujarat Giants to 150 runs.
How many teams are unbeaten in WPL 2026?
Only Royal Challengers Bengaluru remains unbeaten with three wins from three matches in WPL 2026.
What was the key partnership in RCB’s innings?
The 105-run partnership between Radha Yadav (66) and Richa Ghosh (44) for the fifth wicket was crucial in RCB’s recovery from 43/4.
