On Friday, February 14, the reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Gujarat Giants (GG) by an incredible six wickets at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, setting the stage for an ideal start to their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 campaign.
In an attempt to limit GG to a small total, RCB chose to bowl first after winning the toss. But because to Beth Mooney’s strong 56 off 42 and captain Ashleigh Gardner’s 79 off 37 balls, the Gujarat Giants managed to score 201/5 in their 20 overs. Despite RCB’s Renuka Singh‘s statistics of 2 for 25, Gardner’s innings helped the team reach a challenging total.
RCB had a rough start as they chased 202, losing Danni Wyatt (4) and Smriti Mandhana (9) to Gardner early. However, the team was able to get back into the game because to Ellyse Perry’s 57 off 34 balls. Then, with a valiant knock, Richa Ghosh changed the outcome of the match. The wicketkeeper-batter added seven fours and four sixes to her innings as she slammed an undefeated 64 off just 27 deliveries. Kanika Ahuja, who helped Ghosh by scoring 30 runs off 13 balls, made sure the team easily completed the mark in 18.3 overs.
Talking Points from Match 1 of WPL 2025
1. Smriti Mandhana struggles to fire
Smriti Mandhana, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, was removed by Gujarat Giants captain Ash Gardner in the second over of the chase after failing to provide a strong opening performance. For nine, the southpaw was trapped lbw. Knowing her fate, the Indian celebrity accepted a critique but left. Mandhana was removed by the Australian off-spinner for the ninth time in T20 cricket.
2. The Aussie duo of Gardner-Mooney takes control
Beth Mooney made history at the beginning of WPL 2025 by becoming the first player to reach a half-century in the third season of the competition. The hitter hit eight boundaries at a strike rate of 133.33 with a vital knock of 56 off 42 balls. After a solid start, she lost to Prema Rawat at 85/3. Ashleigh Gardner, the captain, and Mooney both contributed significantly to GJ-W’s success.
Three boundaries and eight sixes adorned the all-rounder’s innings as she remained undefeated at 79 of 37 balls. The pair’s 44-run partnership was crucial in helping the team surpass the 200-run threshold.
3. Bengaluru’s middle-order commanding performance
Bengaluru’s middle order impressively took control after losing opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge and captain Smriti Mandhana in less than two overs. Raghvi Bist put on 25 off 27, but Ellyse Perry led the comeback with 57 off 34. Richa Ghosh’s unbeaten 64 off just 27 balls and Kanika Ahuja’s undefeated 30 off 13 provided the fireworks. Bengaluru won by six wickets and got off to a great start in the tournament thanks to their powerful effort.
Who Said What?
Winning skipper, Smriti Mandhana:
Really happy to be on the winning side. The way Richa batted, it was brilliant to watch in the end. They have been doing that in the nets to all our bowlers and we always thought we were in the game after the first innings because of the dew. We had a good auction and whoever came in for the injured, thought they were all good replacements.
Losing skipper, Ashleigh Gardner:
We knew it was a par score at the midway point, and we missed a few opportunities, which ultimately hurt us. It is really flattening. Positives will always exist; Richa made sure she took her side over the finish line with a magnificent knock, but there were also some really good ball-playing moments that can be detrimental if you miss them.
Although we are aware that it will get very dewy and that it was difficult to hold the ball in the end, we will not use that as an excuse for the defeat. That game was not to be, even though we were in a very excellent position to win. Remaining optimistic and playing courageous cricket with both bat and ball is what we want to do; ideally, the rest will work itself out.
Player of the Match, Richa Ghosh:
The plan was to take time and take it deep, I just tried to focus on my natural game. We always were positive and had the belief to chase this target. The preparation was really heplful because we had these kind of targets and those situations really helped us. The plan was just see ball and hit ball.
India
