• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) scripted history by registering the highest successful run chase in Women's Premier League (WPL) history.

  • They defeated Gujarat Giants by six wickets with nine balls to spare.

WPL 2025 [Twitter reactions]: Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh power RCB to a historic win against Gujarat Giants
WPL 2025 (Image Source: X)

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) scripted history by registering the highest successful run chase in Women’s Premier League (WPL) history, defeating Gujarat Giants (GG) by six wickets with nine balls to spare. Chasing a daunting target of 202, RCB rode on a breathtaking 64 not put off 27 balls from Richa Ghosh and a commanding 57 off 34 from Ellyse Perry to storm to victory in the opening match of WPL 2025 at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. This chase marked the first time a team had successfully hunted down a 200-plus total in the WPL, setting the perfect tone for the season.

Ashleigh Gardner’s all-round brilliance sets up a mammoth total

After being invited to bat first, Gujarat got off to a cautious start but found themselves in early trouble at 41/2 in 6.4 overs. However, skipper Ashleigh Gardner turned the innings around with a breathtaking 79 not out off just 37 balls, hammering three fours and eight sixes at a strike rate of 213.51. Beth Mooney (56 off 42) anchored the innings with a solid knock, while Deandra Dottin (25 off 13) provided an explosive cameo. Their efforts propelled Gujarat to an imposing 201/5 in 20 overs, a total that seemed formidable at the halfway mark.

Ellyse Perry and Rucha Ghosh lead the counterattack for RCB

RCB’s chase got off to a shaky start, losing captain Smriti Mandhana (9) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (4) inside two overs. However, Perry took charge, crafting a masterful 57 off 34 balls, striking six fours and two sixes to revive the innings. Despite losing Raghvi Bist (25 off 27) at a crucial juncture, RCB stayed in the hunt. The turning point came when Ghosh walked in and unleashed a breathtaking counterattack, smashing 64 off 27 balls with seven fours and four sixes. She found an able partner in Kanika Ahuja (30 unbeaten off 13), who provided the finishing touch as RCB raced to victory in just 18.3 overs.

Also WATCH: Ashleigh Gardner stuns RCB by removing Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge in a single over

RCB’s statement victory sets the tone for WPL 2025

This historic win not only set a new benchmark for the highest successful chase in WPL history but also underlined RCB’s another title ambitions. Gujarat’s bowling attack, led by Gardner (2/33), struggled to contain the onslaught, with Dottin (1/41) and Sayali Satghare (1/44) proving expensive. Despite a solid batting effort, Gujarat found themselves on the wrong side of history as RCB’s power-packed batting lineup delivered a statement victory. With this emphatic start, RCB have announced themselves as serious contenders in the WPL 2025 season.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Also WATCH: Renuka Thakur starts WPL 2025 by shattering Laura Wolvaardt’s stumps with a brilliant delivery

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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