Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil keep table-toppers RCB unbeaten

A crucial half-century from Radha Yadav and a maiden five-wicket haul in the WPL for Shreyanka Patil helped Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secure their third consecutive victory, maintaining a two-point lead at the top of the table. Contributions from Richa Ghosh, Nadine de Klerk, and Lauren Bell were also vital as the 2024 champions overcame a fiery knock from Gujarat Giants' Bharti Fulmali to win by 32 runs.

Gujarat Giants began their chase strongly, with openers Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine scoring 32 runs in the first three overs. However, Arundhati Reddy's sharp return catch dismissed Devine, and Shreyanka Patil trapped Mooney lbw via DRS. Patil and Lauren Bell then reduced Giants to 63/4 by the ninth over. Nadine de Klerk added to the pressure by dismissing Georgia Wareham, leaving Giants half their side down.

Bharti Fulmali and Kashvee Gautam fought back, with Fulmali hitting multiple sixes to narrow the target to 61 runs from the final five overs. Shreyanka Patil broke the partnership by removing Gautam, and Lauren Bell sealed the game with a double-wicket over that included Fulmali's dismissal. Patil then took the final two wickets in the penultimate over to complete her five-wicket haul.

Earlier, RCB staged a remarkable recovery to post 182/7. After a shaky start that saw them at 43/4 within the PowerPlay, Radha Yadav and Richa Ghosh rebuilt the innings with a century partnership. Radha scored a half-century, while Ghosh provided steady support. Nadine de Klerk's late cameo, including two sixes and two fours in the final overs, gave RCB crucial momentum.

Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 182/7 in 20 overs (Radha Yadav 66, Richa Ghosh 44; Sophie Devine 3/31) beat Gujarat Giants 150 in 18.5 overs (Bharti Fulmali 39, Beth Mooney 27; Shreyanka Patil 5/23, Lauren Bell 3/29) by 32 runs.