Navi Mumbai, Jan 16 (NationPress) The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have continued their flawless journey in the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) with a 32-run win over the Gujarat Giants, securing the top position on the points table. This achievement came after a remarkable first five-wicket haul by off-spin bowling all-rounder Shreyanka Patil during Match 9 at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Friday.

RCB managed to bounce back from a rocky beginning, having lost four wickets during the Power-play. Radha Yadav emerged as an unexpected hero, scoring 66 runs off 42 balls—her first WPL fifty—and forming a crucial partnership of 105 runs for the fifth wicket with Richa Ghosh, who contributed 44 runs off 28 balls. A late surge from Nadine de Klerk with 26 runs helped elevate their total to 182/7.

In response, the Gujarat Giants started strong, reaching 32 runs in just three overs, but quickly faltered, losing five wickets in the next eight overs. Despite efforts from Bharti Fulmali and Kashvee Gautam to chase down the target, RCB confidently wrapped up the game as the Giants were bowled out for 150 in 18.5 overs. Shreyanka shone with figures of 5-23, while Lauren Bell took 3-29.

Bharti Mooney initiated a brisk start for GG, hitting Lauren for a boundary, followed by a swift shot off Linsey Smith. Sophie Devine also contributed by sending one over mid-wicket. Mooney unleashed her fury against Lauren in the third over, striking two fours and a six.

RCB retaliated in the fourth over when Arundhati Reddy dismissed Sophie Devine for a mere eight runs with a sharp return catch. In the next over, Shreyanka secured a vital wicket, trapping Mooney lbw for 27 after a successful review.

GG's downfall continued as Ashleigh Gardner edged a shot to Richa Ghosh off Lauren, followed by Shreyanka dismissing Kanika Ahuja lbw for 16. Georgia Wareham also fell victim to Nadine de Klerk, miscuing a short delivery, leading to a catch by Radha Yadav.

Bharti fought back, slicing Nadine for a boundary before connecting with a powerful six over long-off. She was given a lifeline on 12 when Smriti Mandhana dropped her catch at mid-off.

Bharti capitalized on the missed opportunity, smashing two massive sixes off Linsey and keeping GG's hopes alive. However, RCB continued to chip away at the wickets, with Kashvee falling to Shreyanka after a near-miss at long-off.

Despite Tanuja Kanwer hitting a four and a six, Bharti's luck ran out as she mistimed a pull shot off Lauren, which led to another catch. Shortly after, Lauren secured her third wicket when debutant Shivani Singh was dismissed. Tanuja managed a couple of boundaries but was caught off Shreyanka, who completed her five-wicket haul by dismissing Renuka Singh Thakur, leading to a sensational victory for RCB.

Brief scores:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 182/7 in 20 overs (Radha Yadav 66, Richa Ghosh 44; Sophie Devine 3-31, Kashvee Gautam 2-42) defeated Gujarat Giants: 150 all out in 18.5 overs (Bharti Fulmali 39, Beth Mooney 27; Lauren Bell 3-29, Shreyanka Patil 5-23).