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The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 kicked off with a bang as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a thrilling six-wicket victory against Gujarat Giants at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. In a match that will be remembered for its high-octane drama and record-breaking chase, RCB became the first team in WPL history to successfully chase down a 200-plus target, setting the stage for an electrifying season ahead.
But the excitement didn’t end with the final ball. The RCB camp erupted into a celebration that blended raw emotion with cultural flair, as players swapped their cricket gear for dance moves, creating moments that quickly went viral.
RCB’s historic chase: A masterclass in grit and glamour
Chasing a mammoth target of 202, RCB’s batting lineup delivered a performance for the ages. Richa Ghosh, the star of the match, played a blistering knock of 64* off just 27 balls, including 7 fours and 4 sixes. Her partnership with Kanika Ahuja, who contributed a quickfire 30* off 13 balls, turned the tide in RCB’s favour. The duo hammered 39 runs in just two overs, steering the team from a precarious 109/4 to a historic victory with nine balls to spare.
Earlier, Gujarat Giants had posted a formidable 201/5, thanks to Ashleigh Gardner’s explosive 79* (37 balls) and Beth Mooney’s steady 56 (42 balls). However, RCB’s bowlers, led by Renuka Singh Thakur (2/25), managed to keep the Giants within reach, setting the stage for a thrilling chase.
Also READ: WPL 2025: Smriti Mandhana responds wittily on taking Ashleigh Gardner ‘out for a dinner’
From cricket pitch to dance floor: RCB’s viral celebrations
The post-match celebrations were as electrifying as the game itself. RCB’s official social media channels captured the team’s unbridled joy, sharing a video that quickly went viral. Ahuja led the charge with a spirited bhangra performance, while Ghosh stole the show by channelling her inner Pushpa Raj with the iconic “Fire Nahi Wildfire” swagger.
The celebrations were a testament to the team’s camaraderie and the sheer relief of starting the tournament on a high note. Skipper Smriti Mandhana, visibly elated in the video, praised the duo’s resilience, saying, “We all know what Richa can do, so I won’t talk about Richa. But I am really happy with the way Kanika batted today. She came off really well after her injury and took the load off Richa.”
Here’s the video:
𝐀 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫! 🔥
Kanika’s dance moves, Richa’s nonchalance, Perry’s aura and cheerful vibes all around – last night was one for the history books!
Watch the post match reactions, and that special phone call. 🫶#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #SheIsBold… pic.twitter.com/cvRHsTz27a
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 15, 2025
Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja: The dream duo
Ghosh, named Player of the Match, reflected on her partnership with Ahuja, calling it a “dream come true.” The duo’s fearless approach and explosive batting not only sealed the win but also sent a strong message to the other teams in the tournament. Their performance was a perfect blend of skill, strategy, and sheer determination.
“We had this plan when Kanika and I were batting, it was a bit of a pressure on us but we intended to keep things positive and we can turn things around,” Ghosh said in the video.
Also WATCH: Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry’s intense discussion after RCB’s historic win over GG
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.