Navi Mumbai, Jan 16 (NationPress) The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their unbeaten streak in the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) with a convincing 32-run victory against the Gujarat Giants, securing the top position in the points table, thanks in large part to an impressive maiden five-wicket haul by off-spin all-rounder Shreyanka Patil.

After a rocky start, losing four wickets during the Power-play, Radha Yadav emerged as a surprising hero, scoring 66 runs off 42 balls—her first fifty in the WPL—and forming a crucial partnership of 105 runs for the fifth wicket with Richa Ghosh, who contributed 44 off 28 balls. Late contributions from Nadine de Klerk, who added 26 runs, helped RCB finish at 182/7.

In their chase, Gujarat Giants started quickly with 32 runs in just three overs, but their innings faltered as they lost five wickets within eight overs. Although Bharti Fulmali and Kashvee Gautam posed some challenges with powerful strikes, RCB clinched a comfortable victory, dismissing GG for 150 runs in 18.5 overs, with Shreyanka taking 5 wickets for 23 runs and Lauren Bell claiming 3 for 29.

Beth Mooney gave the Giants a brisk start by finding the boundary against Lauren, while Sophie Devine also contributed with big shots. However, RCB responded effectively when Arundhati Reddy caught Sophie for eight, and Shreyanka followed up by trapping Beth lbw for 27 after a successful review.

The Giants' collapse continued as Ashleigh Gardner edged to Richa behind the stumps off Lauren, and Kanika Ahuja was trapped lbw by Shreyanka for 16 after another review. Georgia Wareham attempted a big hit off Nadine but miscalculated, allowing Radha to take a stunning catch.

Despite some resistance from Bharti, who struck two massive sixes after being dropped on 12, RCB continued to dismantle the GG lineup. Tanuja Kanwer did hit a few boundaries but ultimately fell to Shreyanka, who achieved her five-wicket haul when Renuka Singh Thakur was caught at mid-off, sealing a remarkable win for RCB.

Earlier, after a shaky start, Radha's brilliant knock, partnered with Richa and Nadine's contributions, lifted RCB past 180 runs. Sophie Devine's three wickets were the highlights for GG, but missed opportunities proved costly.

RCB began their innings explosively, with Grace Harris smashing four boundaries in the first over, totaling 23 runs. However, they faced a setback as Kashvee trapped Grace lbw for 17. Dayalan Hemalatha also fell after a mishit, leaving RCB struggling at 45/4.

Radha and Richa steadied the innings with aggressive boundaries against Georgia and Ashleigh. Radha cleared long-on for six and found gaps expertly, while Richa executed a beautiful late cut for four.

After Radha survived an lbw review, she built momentum, reaching her maiden fifty with a stunning pull shot. Richa dazzled the crowd with her powerful strikes, and Nadine's late blitz helped RCB surpass the 180-run mark, securing the win.

Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 182/7 in 20 overs (Radha Yadav 66, Richa Ghosh 44; Sophie Devine 3-31, Kashvee Gautam 2-42) beat Gujarat Giants (Bharti Fulmali 39, Beth Mooney 27; Lauren Bell 3-29, Shreyanka Patil 5-23) by 32 runs.