Satghare stars as RCB beat Gujarat Giants to enter playoffs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women defeated Gujarat Giants by 61 runs in Vadodara to secure a playoffs spot in WPL 2026. Gautami Naik scored 73, while Sayali Satghare took 3/21 as RCB registered their sixth consecutive win, setting a new league record

Vadodara: Sayali Satghare’s impressive three-wicket burst, along with a strong batting performance led by Gautami Naik, propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) to their sixth straight win in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) as they defeated Gujarat Giants by 61 runs in the 12th match at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Monday.

This decisive victory not only gave RCB five wins out of five matches this season, securing their spot in the playoffs, but also set a new record for the most consecutive wins in WPL history at six. This surpassed previous streaks of five by Mumbai Indians in 2023 and 2023-24, as well as RCB’s own streak in 2024-25.

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Earlier, RCB were asked to bat first by Gujarat Giants skipper Ashleigh Gardner and, much like the reverse fixture, their innings got off to a shaky start.

In the opening over, Grace Harris was dismissed by Renuka Singh Thakur after scoring one run, and Georgia Voll was dismissed by Kashvee Gautam in the next over, putting RCB under pressure right at the beginning. Captain Smriti Mandhana was joined by Gautami Naik as the two worked to stabilise the innings until the end of the powerplay.

After suffering two early dismissals for only nine runs, RCB went on to score 39 runs in the first six overs. Mandhana and Naik then put on a 60-run partnership off 45 balls before Gardner trapped Mandhana LBW for 26 off 23 balls.

Naik stayed strong and anchored RCB’s innings, contributing to a 69-run partnership with Richa Ghosh for the fourth wicket until she made her maiden WPL half-century off 42 balls. Naik eventually got out for a well-played 73 off 55 balls. Richa added 27 off 20 balls, while Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil chipped in with quick runs to take RCB to 178/6 in 20 overs.

RCB bowled aggressively from the start. Satghare struck with a stunning two-wicket over in the second, dismissing Beth Mooney (3) and Sophie Devine (0). Lauren Bell then removed Kanika Ahuja, leaving Gujarat reeling at 5/3 after three overs.

Although Anushka Sharma and Gardner tried to rebuild with a 29-run stand, Nadine de Klerk dismissed Anushka for 18. Wickets kept falling as RCB maintained pressure. Gardner fought back with a half-century off 39 balls but finished with 54 off 43, lacking support from the other end.

Gujarat Giants ended at 117/8 in 20 overs. Satghare stood out with 3/21, while de Klerk took 2/21.

Brief scores:
RCB Women 178/6 in 20 overs (Gautami Naik 73, Richa Ghosh 27; Ashleigh Gardner 2/43, Kashvee Gautam 2/38) beat Gujarat Giants Women 117/8 in 20 overs (Ashleigh Gardner 54, Anushka Sharma 18; Sayali Satghare 3/21, Nadine de Klerk 2/21) by 61 runs.