On a vibrant Friday evening at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, Royal Challengers Bengaluru kicked off their WPL 2025 title defense with a statement win, chasing down Gujarat Giants’s 201/5 with six wickets to spare. The match, the opening fixture of the third edition of the Women's Premier League Kotambi Stadium, wasn’t just a win—it was a declaration. With no margin for error, RCB’s chase, led by Richa Ghosh’s blistering 72 off 41 balls, silenced any doubts about their depth after losing four key players to injury. The Player of the Match award was no surprise. Ghosh, the wicketkeeper-batter, carved through Gujarat’s attack like a surgeon, mixing power and precision to steer her team home in the 19th over.
Chasing a Fireworks Total
Gujarat Giants, batting first, looked set for a monster total. Their innings was anchored by a 52-ball 68 from Laura Woolvardt, who now holds the record for most runs against RCB in WPL history—144 across four innings. But what made their 201/5 so dangerous wasn’t just the score—it was the pace. At 10.05 runs per over, they were playing a brand of aggressive cricket that had tormented RCB in past seasons. The Giants’ middle order, particularly the explosive Sneh Rana (34 off 18), turned the latter overs into a demolition derby. RCB’s bowling, led by the ever-reliable Sophie Molineux (2 for 32 in 4 overs), held firm under pressure. But even her best efforts couldn’t contain the sheer firepower on display.
RCB’s Rebuilt Squad, Same Ruthlessness
Entering this season, RCB’s biggest story wasn’t their strength—it was their absence. Four players from their 2024 title-winning squad, including all-rounder Ellyse Perry and fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, were sidelined with injuries. Yet here they were, chasing down 202 with composure. Captain Smriti Mandhana, who has now scored 194 runs against Gujarat in WPL history—the most by any batter for RCB—opened with grit, scoring 38 off 33 before falling to a brilliant catch at deep midwicket. But the real story was the support. Meghana (29 off 22) and Shreyanka Patil (21* off 14) steadied the ship after Mandhana’s exit. And then came Ghosh. With 38 needed off the final three overs, she took control. Two sixes, five fours, and a single that sealed it—no drama, no panic. Just execution.
A History of High-Stakes Rivalry
This wasn’t just another match. It was the latest chapter in a rivalry that’s grown into the WPL’s most electrifying head-to-head. Across two seasons, RCB and Gujarat have split their four meetings 2-2. In WPL 2023, Gujarat stunned RCB at Brabourne Stadium, thanks to a blistering 65 from Sophia Dunkley and a 67 from Harleen Deol. RCB avenged it in the reverse fixture, though details remain fuzzy. The next year, in 2024, Molineux’s 3 for 25 in just four overs dismantled Gujarat’s top order, and Mandhana’s 43 off 27 balls turned the chase into a formality. The pattern? High scores. Big hits. Close finishes. Friday’s match? More of the same. The total was identical to Gujarat’s 201/5 from 2023. Only this time, RCB didn’t just survive—they dominated.
What This Win Means for the Tournament
For RCB, this wasn’t just about points. It was about momentum. With injuries looming, they needed a win that said, ‘We’re still here.’ And they delivered. For Gujarat, it’s a sobering start. After finishing bottom in 2024, they entered this match with renewed hope. But chasing 202 in a T20 is no small task—and they didn’t quite have the finishing touch. The real test? Their spinners, who were expensive, and their middle-order consistency. They’ll need both to turn things around.
Meanwhile, the league has its first talking point: Richa Ghosh. The 23-year-old, who’s been in and out of the Indian national team, has now announced herself on the biggest domestic stage. Her innings wasn’t just about numbers—it was about timing. With the pressure mounting, she stayed calm. That’s the mark of a true big-game player.
What’s Next?
RCB’s next match is against Delhi Capitals on February 18 at the same venue. Gujarat Giants face UP Warriorz on February 16. But the real story will be how other teams respond to RCB’s statement win. If the defending champions can maintain this form without their injured stars, they might just be the team to beat again. And if Gujarat can fix their middle-order woes, this rivalry could still deliver its most explosive chapter yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Richa Ghosh’s performance compare to other Player of the Match wins in WPL history?
Richa Ghosh’s 72 off 41 balls in the WPL 2025 opener ranks among the top five chasing knocks by a wicketkeeper in league history. Only three players have scored faster in a successful chase under similar pressure: Deandra Dottin (84* off 37 in 2023), Suzie Bates (75 off 39 in 2024), and Harmanpreet Kaur (71 off 38 in 2023). Her strike rate of 175.6 is the highest by an Indian batter in a WPL chase exceeding 70 runs.
Why is the RCB vs Gujarat Giants rivalry considered so unpredictable?
The rivalry is unpredictable because both teams have nearly identical win-loss records (2-2) and consistently post high scores. Gujarat’s top order (Woolvardt, Rana) thrives in powerplay aggression, while RCB’s middle order (Mandhana, Ghosh, Devine) thrives in chase pressure. No team has dominated the other—each win has come down to final-over nerves, making every match a coin flip.
What impact do RCB’s injuries have on their title chances?
Losing four players—including Perry and Ismail—robs RCB of depth in both batting and pace bowling. But their bench strength, particularly in spin (Patil, Molineux) and finishers (Ghosh, Meghana), is unusually strong. If their core trio—Mandhana, Ghosh, and Molineux—stay fit, they can still win the title. But one poor week could expose the gaps.
How has Kotambi Stadium influenced WPL 2025’s early results?
Kotambi Stadium has been a batting paradise in WPL 2025, with the first two matches averaging 198 runs per side. The pitch is flat, with short boundaries and minimal turn. Teams winning the toss have chosen to bat first in both matches, but the chasing team has won both—suggesting dew and pressure play a bigger role than pitch conditions alone.
