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In a historic display of resilience and skill, Royal Challengers Bengaluru maintained their unbeaten streak in by defeating the Gujarat Giants in a high-voltage Match 9 at the DY Patil Stadium. After recovering from a staggering top-order collapse to post 182, the Bengaluru side utilized a clinical bowling effort to stifle the Giants’ chase. The evening was highlighted by extraordinary fielding and a career-best bowling performance that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. This 32-run victory not only cements RCB’s position at the top of the table but also showcases their ability to dominate even when pushed to the brink. With this third consecutive win, Smriti Mandhana’s squad has firmly established themselves as the team to beat in the current campaign.
The Radha Yadav and Richa Ghosh rescue for RCB
The match began with a chaotic first innings where the Giants’ pacers appeared to have secured an early victory, reducing RCB to a precarious 43/4 during the powerplay. However, the game shifted dramatically thanks to a magnificent 105-run partnership for the fifth wicket between and Richa Ghosh. Radha played the anchor role to perfection, striking a career-best 66 off 47 balls to notch her maiden WPL fifty, while Richa provided the explosive counter-punch with a rapid 44 off 28.
Despite a stunning one-handed catch by debutant Shivani Singh to dismiss Dayalan Hemalatha earlier in the day, the Giants’ bowlers had no answer for the duo’s middle-over assault. A late cameo of 26 off 12 by Nadine de Klerk further propelled the score, ensuring RCB reached a formidable 182/7. Even with Sophie Devine’s tactical 3/31 at the death, the momentum had firmly swung in favor of the Bengaluru side as they prepared to defend a target that required the Giants to maintain a record-breaking run rate under the lights.
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Shreyanka Patil’s historic fifer and the Grace Harris flying catch
The second innings was a masterclass in spin-bowling and athletic fielding, spearheaded by a historic five-wicket haul from the young sensation Shreyanka Patil. Shreyanka’s figures of 5/23 effectively dismantled the Giants’ chase, starting with the crucial dismissal of Beth Mooney (27) after a successful LBW review that turned the game on its head.
The pressure was compounded by Arundhati Reddy, who took an unbelievable return catch to remove Devine, and Grace Harris, who produced the catch of the night. Stationed at mid-off, Harris sprinted forward and executed a full-length, horizontal dive to pluck the ball inches off the ground, dismissing the dangerous Bharti Fulmali (39) off Lauren Bell’s bowling. As the required rate soared, Shreyanka returned to clean up the tail, utilizing her deceptive carrom balls to trap the lower order and secure her maiden fifer. The Giants were eventually bundled out for 150 in the 19th over, as RCB’s clinical discipline across all departments secured a comprehensive victory.
Here’s how fans reacted:
From 43/4 to ending up with 182 and a convincing win by 32 runs for RCBW to remain on top of the table. Excellent overall performance. Class early on with the bat from Radha and Richa and followed by a 5 wicket for Shreyanka. Well played.
— Prasanna (@prasannalara)
Really doubted whether Shreyanka will deliver this season after seeing her repeated injuries and less match time… But she has delivered so far big time.
— arfan (@Im__Arfan)
RCB trusted Shreyanka and she delivering
— Yuva ® (@Yuva_Sanchari)
We just retained Shreyanka for just 60 lakhs 😭😭 steal .
— Sai (@akakrcb6)
Shreyanka Patil you beauty 👸
— RCB TWEETS (@fcRCBtweets)
Radha Yadav has spent 76% of her T20 career at No.8 or below. Never made 30 runs in an innings. Today at No.5, with 4 wickets down in powerplay, she smashed 66 off 47. Sometimes the person you ask to clean up after party is the one who should've been invited all along…
— Abhishek AB (@ABsay_ek)
Radha Yadav has played so well with bat , Twitter itself crashed.
— Sai (@akakrcb6)
Elon Musk, you aren't gonna see heaven, can't able to tweet about Radha when she played once in a generational innings.
— Shailesh (@shailesh18_)
Queen Radha, sorry if I ever doubted your batting prowess🙇♀️
— Siya (@siyaagrawal18)
Shreyanka Patil guides RCB to victory
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ)
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