Gautami Naik produced a composed half-century to power Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a commanding 61-run victory over Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League on Monday, sealing a top-three finish for her side.
Maintaining their unbeaten run, RCB registered their fifth consecutive win of the season and became the first team to qualify for the knockout stage.
Asked to bat first, the table-toppers endured an early wobble as Grace Harris and Georgia Voll departed inside the second over with just nine runs on the board. Naik, however, held firm at one end and rebuilt the innings with calm assurance.
She first shared a vital 60-run stand for the third wicket with skipper Smriti Mandhana, who chipped in with a fluent 26 off 23 balls. The partnership ended when Ashleigh Gardner trapped Mandhana LBW following a successful review.
Naik then found an ideal partner in Richa Ghosh, and the duo added 69 runs for the fourth wicket to put RCB back on track. While Naik anchored the innings, Ghosh played the aggressor, striking three sixes in her brisk 27 off 20 deliveries.
Naik eventually fell for a well-crafted 73 off 55 balls, laced with seven boundaries and a six, after being bowled by Gardner in the 18th over. A late cameo from Radha Yadav (17 off 8 balls) helped RCB post a competitive 178 for 6.
In reply, Gujarat Giants never found momentum and slipped to 34 for 4 inside seven overs. The early dismissals of Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Anushka Sharma, and Kanika Ahuja left them reeling.
Skipper Ashleigh Gardner attempted a rescue act with a fighting 54 off 43 balls, striking five fours and a six, while Bharti Fulmali added 14. However, the required run rate proved too steep, and the innings fizzled out at 117 for 8.
Right-arm medium pacer Sayali Satghare starred with the ball, returning impressive figures of 3 for 21, well supported by Nadine de Klerk, who claimed 2 for 17.
(By PTI Inputs)
Also Read: 'Shan Masood wali captaincy': Basit Ali takes a hilarious dig at Shubman Gill
