The Women’s Premier League 2025 kicked off with a bang as Smriti Mandhana’s Royal Challengers Bangalore took on the Gujarat Giants. Mandhana won the toss and chose to field, and her decision was put to the test as Gujarat’s captain Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney put on a solid show. The duo helped Gujarat set a target of 202 runs for RCB, with Gardner remaining unbeaten on 79 and Mooney scoring 56.
RCB’s chase didn’t exactly get off to a flying start, though – they lost Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt early on, with the score reading 9/1 and 4/1 respectively. But then, Elis Perry, Raghav Bisht, and Richa Ghosh took over, putting on a brilliant display of batting. Ghosh, in particular, was on fire, smashing 64 runs in just 27 balls, including 7 fours and 4 sixes. Her innings was the turning point in the match, and RCB eventually managed to chase down the target.
Richa Ghosh’s Blazing Fifty
Ghosh’s knock was nothing short of spectacular. She came in when RCB were struggling and took the game away from Gujarat with her power-hitting. Her 64 runs included 7 fours and 4 sixes, and she was the main reason RCB were able to overhaul the target of 202 runs. It was a remarkable innings, and one that will be remembered for a long time.
RCB Creates History
With this win, RCB created history in the Women’s Premier League. They became the first team to chase down a target of over 200 runs in the tournament. The previous best was 191 runs, achieved by the Mumbai Indians against the Gujarat Giants in 2024. RCB’s achievement is all the more impressive considering they were struggling early on in the chase.
The Gujarat Giants, on the other hand, had a great start to their innings. Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner put on a solid partnership, with Mooney scoring 56 runs and Gardner remaining unbeaten on 79. Gardner’s innings was particularly impressive, as she smashed 3 fours and 8 sixes in her 37-ball knock.
Ashleigh Gardner’s Captain’s Knock
Gardner’s innings was a captain’s knock in every sense of the word. She came in when her team was struggling, with the score reading 41/2, and took the game away from RCB with her power-hitting. Her partnership with Mooney was crucial, as the two added 44 runs for the third wicket. Even when Mooney fell, Gardner continued to bat aggressively, adding 67 runs with Deandra Dottin in just 5 overs.
RCB’s bowlers, particularly Renuka Singh, did well to restrict Gujarat to 201 runs. Singh picked up 2 wickets, including the crucial one of Dottin, and gave away just 25 runs in her spell. But in the end, it was RCB’s batting that proved to be the difference between the two teams.
It was a thrilling match, and one that set the tone for the rest of the tournament. With RCB creating history and Gujarat pushing them to the limit, the Women’s Premier League 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting competition.