RCB storm into WPL 2026 playoffs with fifth straight victory
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women became the first team to seal a place in the playoffs of Women’s Premier League 2026, continuing their flawless run with a commanding all-round win over Gujarat Giants Women. Five games into the season, RCB remain unbeaten, extending their winning streak to six matches when counting their final victory from the previous edition — an unprecedented run in the league’s brief history.
At the start of the Vadodara leg, the table-toppers showed no signs of slowing down, carrying forward the same ruthless dominance that saw them sweep through the Navi Mumbai phase. Against the Giants, RCB once again demonstrated why they have set the benchmark in WPL 2026.
Gujarat Giants entered the contest with confidence, having posted the highest PowerPlay scoring rate of the season at 10.08 runs per over, even better than RCB’s impressive 9.04. Chasing a target of 178, the Giants would have backed themselves to stay competitive. However, they ran into an RCB bowling unit that has been unmatched in the PowerPlay across all major metrics, including wickets, economy, strike rate and dot-ball percentage.
The contest swung decisively early as Sayali Satghare removed Beth Mooney, before Sophie Devine found deep mid-wicket in the same spell. Lauren Bell then accounted for Kanika Ahuja, leaving the Giants reeling at 5 for 3. They crawled to just 29 for 3 by the end of the PowerPlay, damage from which they never recovered.
Captain Ash Gardner fought a lone battle with a 43-ball 54, but the early collapse proved too costly. Gujarat Giants eventually finished on 117 for 8, suffering a heavy 61-run defeat that further dented their net run rate.
Earlier, RCB had also been tested with the bat on a black-soil surface that offered far less bounce than the Navi Mumbai wickets. Opting to field, Gardner’s decision seemed justified early as her bowlers reduced RCB to 9 for 2 inside the first two overs. Renuka Singh removed Grace Harris, while Kashvee Gautam struck immediately to dismiss Georgia Voll.
From that precarious position, RCB were steadied by Gautami Naik, who played an innings of remarkable maturity. At the end of the PowerPlay, RCB were just 37 for 2, with captain Smriti Mandhana batting cautiously. Mandhana’s stay ended soon after, trapped LBW by Gardner — the 10th time the Australian has dismissed her across competitions.
With RCB still scoring at barely over a run-a-ball, Naik and Richa Ghosh launched a timely counterattack. The pair took on the spinners, adding momentum through well-placed boundaries. Naik reached her maiden WPL fifty off 42 balls and showcased her versatility by mixing powerful straight hits with crisp cuts and punches through the off-side.
The acceleration continued in the final five overs. Ghosh targeted Tanuja Kanwer for two sixes in a 17-run over before departing for a brisk 27. Naik followed soon after for a superb 73 off 55 balls, the highest score by an uncapped Indian in WPL 2026.
The finishing touches were provided by Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil, who capitalised on loose bowling and a flood of extras from Gujarat Giants. RCB plundered 64 runs in the final five overs to reach 178 for 6 — a total that had looked unlikely earlier in the innings.
RCB’s comprehensive display with both bat and ball underlined their status as title favourites and confirmed their playoff berth with plenty of games still to play.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 178/6 in 20 overs (Gautami Naik 73, Richa Ghosh 27; Kashvee Gautam 2/38)
Gujarat Giants 117/8 in 20 overs (Ash Gardner 54; Sayali Satghare 3/21, Nadine de Klerk 2/17)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 61 runs
