New Delhi, Jan 17 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta praised the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their remarkable performance against the Gujarat Giants in the recently held Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 match, noting that the 2024 champions have ‘discovered a way to triumph once more this season.’

RCB showcased an impressive display against GG on Friday, demonstrating resilience by recovering from a challenging 40/4 to post 182 runs, which they successfully defended with disciplined bowling.

While speaking on JioHotstar, Dasgupta reviewed RCB’s comeback, stating, “At the beginning of the match, RCB was 40 for 4, and we were thinking, oh my God, what’s happening with RCB? But this season, RCB has found a way to win. They struggled in the first game and found a way; in this match, they faced challenges and found a way again.”

“It began with the batting performance from Radha Yadav and Richa Ghosh, followed by the bowlers. Defending 182 was never going to be straightforward as the Gujarat Giants are known for their powerful hitters who score freely. Additionally, this was RCB’s first time bowling in the second half, which adds a new element. Nevertheless, RCB’s top performance should boost their confidence,” he added.

Katey Martin also shared her thoughts and highlighted Shreyanka Patil’s inspiring story, stating, “She’s not only an intelligent player but also a wise individual, which is evident in her demeanor and bowling. Over the last two years, she faced six or seven different injuries, making her comeback even more remarkable. I appreciate the revival of traditional off-spinners in T20.”

“There’s a lot of emphasis on spinners who don’t spin, which has its own space, but the ability to assess conditions, slow down the pace, bowl off-spin, and let the wicket do the work is truly special. I recall her mentioning she was in tears standing at her mark, proud to be back playing cricket. To think that she went from that to taking 5 for 4 in the WPL against a team she adores — what an incredible moment,” the former New Zealand cricketer added.

RCB's new-ball pacer Lauren Bell has been delivering outstanding performances and is a vital part of the team’s successes this season. Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim commented on the fast-bowler’s contribution, stating, “She’s thriving at the D.Y. Patil Stadium. She’s generating impressive pace and, if you remember her delivery to Sophie Devine, she extracted extra bounce. It was encouraging to see her bounce back strongly.”

“The initial overs were a bit costly, particularly against Beth Mooney, but she responded by taking the wicket of Ashleigh Gardner and claimed two wickets in the final over, which was thrilling to watch. She’s providing the impetus RCB needs right from the start.”

“Lauren Bell has been not only economical but also effective with the new ball, in the middle overs, and at the death. Overall, this was a remarkable win for RCB — a victory underpinned by self-belief and resilience. At one point, they were struggling at 40 for 4 without Smriti Mandhana and with the top order dismissed. Their ability to recover and post 182 demonstrates that this team refuses to concede defeat. They believe they can always rebound from a challenging situation, and that belief was evident,” he concluded.