RCB’s Struggle in WPL 2025 Continues
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s top order crumbled in the 12th match of Women’s Premier League, making it a tough day for the team. Captain Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for a mere 10 runs in 20 balls, while the usually reliable Ellyse Perry couldn’t even open her account – a first for her in the WPL. It was a disastrous start, but Kanika Ahuja’s 33 and Raghavi Anand Singh Bisht’s 22 helped the team scrape together 125 runs. Without these contributions, it seemed likely that Gujarat Giants would restrict RCB to under 100.
Ash Gardner, Gujarat Giants’ captain, won the toss and elected to bowl first. Smriti Mandhana and Danielle Wyatt started the RCB innings, but Deandra Dottin struck early, sending Wyatt back to the pavilion for just 4 runs. The situation only worsened from there. Ellyse Perry was dismissed for zero, a first in WPL history, courtesy of Ash Gardner. Smriti Mandhana soon followed, scoring a disappointing 10 runs off 20 balls. At 25 for 3, RCB was under immense pressure.
However, Kanika Ahuja and Raghavi Anand Singh Bisht provided some much-needed relief with a 48-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Ahuja scored 33 runs in 28 balls, including 2 sixes and a four, while Bisht contributed 22 runs in 19 balls. In the final overs, Georgia Wareham chipped in with 20 runs, helping RCB reach a total of 125.
Notably, RCB’s innings was marked by a lack of boundaries – only 6 fours were hit in total, with no batsman managing to hit more than one. Deandra Dottin and Tanuja Kanwar were the pick of the bowlers for Gujarat Giants, taking 2 wickets each, while Ash Gardner and Kashvi Gautam picked up one wicket each. This match is crucial for both RCB and Gujarat Giants, as both teams are looking to bounce back from consecutive losses.
