Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday made it two wins out of two in WPL 2024 when they got the better of Gujarat Giants in a one-sided encounter at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Put into bat first, Gujarat Giants struggled for momentum as Beth Mooney’s side could only score 107 runs in 20 overs. RCB captain Smriti Mandhana starred for the team, leading the run chase with a 27-ball 43 to ensure RCB got their second win of the WPL season.
Smriti Mandhana’s Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and chose to bowl first. Batting first, the Gujarat Giants never really got into the game. The Beth Mooney-led side just could not get going as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Beth Mooney was the first to depart, scoring 8 runs off 7 balls.
The other opener Harleen Deol put up a fight, but it wasn’t enough as Deol departed scoring 22 runs off 31 balls. Phoebe Litchfield was one of the biggest hopes of the Gujarat Giants but Renuka Singh sent her back to the pavillion. Ashleigh Gardner too proved ineffective as Gujarat Giants could only score 107/7 in 20 overs.
Chasing 108, RCB got off to an electrifying start as opener Smriti Mandhana went hard at the GG bowlers right from the start. RCB completed their 50 runs in just under 7 overs as RCB cruised towards the target. However, Smriti Mandhana departed scoring 43 of 27 balls. Sabbhineni Meghana, who came at number, has been in fine form in the ongoing WPL and played another important innings on Tuesday. She started slowly as Mandhana charged, and then came into the game to remain not out at X
The slow wicket could have made the chase tricky but Smriti’s onslaught and Meghana’s calmness ensured RCB moved towards the victory without any major hiccups and with over 7 overs to spare.
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