Women’s Premier League outfit Gujarat Giants have finally won their first match of the season as the defeated Smirti Mandhana’s Royal Challengers Bangalore women by 11 runs at the Brabourne Stadium on Wednesday night. Gujarat got off to a perfect start right from the first innings after winning the toss and electing to bat first.
.@GujaratGiants have held their nerve & how! 👍 👍
They beat #RCB by 11 runs to seal their first win of the #TATAWPL! 👏 👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/QeECVTM7rl #GGvRCB pic.twitter.com/rukQmQAzu9
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 8, 2023
Giants’ opener Sophia Dunkley smacked the fastest fifty of the tournament as she reached to her maiden 50 off just 18 balls. Dunkley opened the innings alongside Sabbineni Meghana but the latter departed quickly after scoring 8 off 11. Harleen Deol came in at number 3 and started running riot alongside Dunkley.
Both the batters looked extremely bright and stood for a partnership of 60 runs. Dunkley at the time of her departure eventually scored 65 runs off 28 deliveries, including 11 fours and three sixes, for an intimidating strike rate of 232.14.
.@imharleenDeol top-scored for @GujaratGiants & was the team's top performer from the first innings of the #TATAWPL #GGvRCB match 👍 👍
A summary of her batting performance 🔽 pic.twitter.com/5JcbSoyFhR
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 8, 2023
While Harleen Deol had a strike rate of 143 and scored 67 runs off 45 balls while hitting nine fours and a six. Later, quickfire goals of 19, 16, and 14 by Ashleigh Gardner, Dayalan Hemalatha, and Annabel Sutherland helped Gujarat Giants record a respectable total of 201.
In response, RCB got off to a good start through Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine and they were playing very well and according to the required run rate. However, RCB Women captain got out for 14 off 18 but Devine stood strong in the crease 66 of 45 with a strike rate of 146.
6⃣ & WICKET!
Has Sophie Devine's dismissal turned the match in #GG's favour 🤔
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/QeECVTM7rl #TATAWPL | #GGvRCB pic.twitter.com/FjLN547HkR
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 8, 2023
Ellyse Perry who replaced Smriti Mandhana tried her best to keep the chase going on but she could only score as much as 32 runs off 25 balls. Once again RCB’s middle order flopped as Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja amassed only a combined 20 runs.
A wicket for Mansi Joshi 👌
A well-compiled FIFTY for Sophie Devine 👏
7 overs to go & 96 runs to win for #RCB.
Are we in for a close finish? 🤔
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/QeECVTM7rl #TATAWPL | #GGvRCB pic.twitter.com/xMHQrkTa5o
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 8, 2023
Heather Knight was in the crease till the last ball and tried her best to get the team over the line and scored a quickfire 30 off 11 deliveries. But it was not enough to help RCB Women pick up their first victory of the first ever WPL season and they are now at the bottom of the points table.
