RCB dominated Gujarat Giants in a commanding performance at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, securing their second consecutive victory. Renuka Thakur’s early breakthroughs, claiming 2 wickets for just 14 runs, set the tone for RCB’s disciplined bowling display. Restricting Giants to a modest 107/7, highlighted by D Hemalatha’s unbeaten 31, RCB’s bowlers, including Sophie Molineux with 3 for 25, maintained control throughout the innings.
Chasing the target, skipper Smriti Mandhana‘s aggressive 43 off 24 deliveries provided a blazing start. Supported by S Meghana’s unbeaten 36, RCB comfortably chased down the target in just 12.3 overs, showcasing their dominance with an 8-wicket win.
Giants’ Struggle Against RCB’s Bowling Attack
Electing to field first, the RCB bowlers bowled tight lines and made run-scoring tough. Renuka Thakur made an immediate impact, despite conceding a few early boundaries, as she shattered the stumps of GG skipper Beth Mooney with a delivery that sharply deviated back into the batter. Despite Shreyanka Patil conceding three boundaries in the sixth over, the Giants struggled to capitalize, managing only 29 runs during the PowerPlay. RCB’s decision to persist with Renuka paid off when she claimed the crucial wicket of Phoebe Litchfield, who was stumped on just the second ball after the powerplay.
As the innings progressed, Gujarat Giants found it challenging to accelerate, succumbing to the mounting pressure. Veda Krishnamurthy, making her mark in WPL 2024, showed glimpses of aggression by hitting the first six of the match and successfully overturning two decisions against her. However, her innings was short-lived, lasting only 15 balls before she was caught in the deep midwicket region.
Hemalatha’s Resilient Innings Guides The Giants
In a pivotal over, Harleen Deol attempted a risky single and paid the price, getting run out after contributing a gritty 22 runs off 31 balls. By the end of the 11th over, when the Giants reached their first 50 runs, they had already lost their top four batters, indicating the pressure cooker situation they found themselves in.
Dayalan Hemalatha’s innings for Gujarat Giants was a mix of luck and determination. While she started with a couple of fortunate boundaries, the wickets kept falling at the other end. Ash Gardner was dismissed after mishitting a delivery from Georgia Wareham, unable to read the flight of the ball.
Sophie Molineux, on the other hand, continued to trouble the Giants, claiming two more wickets in her remaining overs. Kathryn Bryce was bowled, and Sneh Rana was stumped after contributing a useful 12 runs batting at number 8. Despite the setbacks, Hemalatha began to find her rhythm, smashing a six into the long-on stands off Molineux in the penultimate over, pushing Giants past the 100-run mark.
Mandhana’s Explosive Batting Puts RCB in Control
Smriti Mandhana’s explosive innings set the tone for RCB’s chase, delighting the crowd that had gathered to support the home team. Mandhana’s aggressive approach saw her score 43 runs off just 27 balls, with her innings punctuated by a flurry of boundaries. She started her innings with three boundaries off Lea Tahuhu’s bowling and followed it up with two more off Meghana Singh, with her pull shot proving to be particularly effective.
Despite losing Sophie Devine early to Ash Gardner’s delivery, Mandhana quickly regained the momentum by smashing a six over long-on off Tahuhu’s bowling in the very next over. Her innings came to an end when she mistimed a shot back to Tanuja Kanwer, falling just seven runs short of a well-deserved fifty. However, her quickfire knock had all but secured the game for RCB, keeping the pressure on the Giants throughout her innings.
Meghana’s Clinical Knock Seals the Deal
Batting at number 3, S Meghana continued the onslaught for RCB, quickly finding her rhythm. She started by hitting a couple of boundaries off Kathryn Bryce before taking on the spinners. Sneh Rana was welcomed into the attack with consecutive fours, showcasing Meghana’s aggressive intent. She then smashed a boundary over wide long-off off Tanuja Kanwer, adding to her boundary count.
After Smriti Mandhana’s dismissal, Meghana partnered with Ellyse Perry, who played a supporting role with an unbeaten 23. Together, they guided RCB to victory in the 13th over, showcasing a dominant batting performance that saw them chase down the target comfortably.
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