Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants Hey there, cricket lovers! If you’re anything like me—a die-hard fan who’s followed the Women’s Premier League since its inception—
you know that tonight’s clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Giants (GG) is more than just another game. It’s a battle for supremacy in a tournament that’s already delivering thrills. As of 10:49 PM IST on January 16, 2026, we’re deep into this Match 9 at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, and let me tell you, it’s been a rollercoaster.
RCB, the defending champions and the only unbeaten side so far, posted a solid 182/7 after being asked to bat. GG are chasing, but they’re in trouble at 126/6 after 15.2 overs, needing 57 runs from the remaining 28 balls. With RCB’s win probability hovering around 90%, it looks like Smriti Mandhana’s team is on course for a third straight victory, but cricket’s funny—you never know until the last ball.
I’ve been tracking WPL closely for years, and this matchup always brings fireworks. Let’s dive in, breaking it down step by step, from the toss to the latest twists, with stats, key insights, and what it all means for the standings. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a stats geek, I’ll keep it straightforward and engaging.
The Build-Up: Form, Toss, and Team News
RCB came into this game flying high. They’ve won their first two matches convincingly: a nail-biting last-ball thriller against Mumbai Indians and a dominant win over UP Warriorz. That balance—clutch performances mixed with sheer power—
has them atop the points table with a net run rate that’s the envy of the league. GG, on the other hand, have two wins too but sit third, thanks to a slightly shakier start. They’ve shown grit, though, with stars like Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney capable of turning games on their head.
At the toss, GG captain Ashleigh Gardner called correctly and opted to bowl on a used pitch, hoping to exploit any early moisture under the lights. It was a smart call, given Navi Mumbai’s history where chasing teams have won 60% of WPL games here. Team changes?
GG debuted wicketkeeper-batter Shivani Singh, dropping Ayushi Soni, while RCB stuck with their winning XI, featuring a mix of Indian firepower and overseas talent like Sophie Devine and Nadine de Klerk.
GG 133/6 (16.0) vs RCB | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women Vs …
RCB’s Innings: From Wobble to Boom—A Tale of Resilience
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants Put in to bat, RCB started brightly with Grace Harris smashing 17 off 8 balls, including a couple of boundaries in the first over. But GG’s bowlers struck back hard. Kashvee Gautam was the star early on, removing Harris and Dayalan Hemalatha in quick succession, leaving RCB at 43/4 by the powerplay’s end. Smriti Mandhana, usually so elegant, fell for just 11, caught trying to accelerate.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants That’s when the magic happened. Radha Yadav (66 off 47) and Richa Ghosh (44 off 28) stitched together a game-changing 105-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Yadav, playing with uncharacteristic aggression, hit boundaries all around, while Ghosh’s clean striking—think pulled sixes over midwicket—kept the scoreboard ticking. It was a masterclass in rebuilding: from 43/4, they took RCB to 148/4 before Ghosh departed. Nadine de Klerk chipped in with a quick 26 off 12, and even though Sophie Devine dismissed Yadav in the death overs, RCB finished at 182/7—a competitive total on this track, where the average first-innings score is around 160.
Key stats from RCB’s knock:
- Powerplay: 43/4 (a rare stumble for them this season).
- Middle overs (7-15): 85 runs at 5.66 rpo, with Yadav’s strike rate jumping to 140.
- Death overs (16-20): 54/3, thanks to de Klerk’s late blitz.
GG’s bowling? Gardner was economical (1/28 in 4 overs), but they leaked runs in the back end, with Lauren Bell going for 40 in her spell.
GG’s Chase: Early Promise Fades into Struggle
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants Chasing 183, GG needed a solid start, and they got one from openers Beth Mooney (27 off 14) and Sophie Devine (8 off 12), racing to 34/0 in four overs. But RCB’s bowlers, led by the spin duo, turned the screws. Arundhati Reddy trapped Mooney lbw, and Lauren Bell got Devine caught behind. Then came Shreyanka Patil’s magic: the off-spinner has been a revelation, picking up 3/14 in 2.2 overs so far, including Gardner (3 off 6) and Georgia Wareham (13 off 13).
At 63/3 after 8.4 overs, GG were reeling, but Bharti Fulmali has provided a spark with an unbeaten 39 off 19 (three fours, three sixes). She and Kashvee Gautam (18 off 14) added 56 for the sixth wicket before Gautam fell to Patil on 15.2. As I write this, it’s 126/6 after 15.2, with Fulmali still fighting. But with the required rate over 12, and RCB’s fielders dropping chances (Mandhana shelled a sitter off Fulmali), it’s looking tough for GG.
Live snapshot (as of 10:49 PM IST):
| Team | Score | Overs | Key Batter | Key Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GG | 126/6 | 15.2 | Bharti Fulmali 39* (19) | Shreyanka Patil 3/14 (2.2) |
Recent highlights:
- Over 15: 13 runs off de Klerk, including a six from Gautam and a four from Fulmali.
- Over 14: 17 runs off Sophie Smith, with Fulmali smashing two sixes—pure power!
- But wickets tumbling: GG lost 3/31 between overs 5-10, derailing the chase.
WPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants fight for …
Head-to-Head History and What the Stats Say
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants These two have a riveting rivalry. In six previous WPL encounters, it’s dead even: 3 wins each. GG chased down 189 in their first meeting back in 2023, but RCB dominated last season with an 8-wicket win in Bengaluru. High scores are common—think GG’s 201/7 in 2023 vs RCB’s 190/6.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants Expert take: As former India captain Mithali Raj noted in a pre-match analysis, “RCB’s depth in batting and spin options give them the edge on turning tracks like Navi Mumbai.” Stats back it: RCB’s spinners have an economy of 6.5 this season, while GG’s batters average just 22 against spin. Case study? Last year’s Delhi clash where GG posted 199 but RCB fell short—tonight, roles reversed, with RCB defending well.
Insights: Turning Points and What It Means for WPL 2026
The game’s pivot was that Yadav-Ghosh stand—without it, RCB might’ve struggled below 150. For GG, losing Mooney and Devine early exposed their middle order, though Fulmali’s cameo shows promise. If GG pull off a miracle, it’ll be thanks to her aggression; otherwise, RCB’s bowling variety—pace from Bell, spin from Patil—proves why they’re favorites.
Broader picture: A win here puts RCB clear at the top with six points, building momentum toward the playoffs. For GG, a loss means pressure mounts, especially with tough games ahead. Women’s cricket is evolving fast—strike rates are up 15% from WPL’s first season, per league data. It’s not just about stars; depth wins titles.
Gujarat Giants vs RCB Highlights: RCB WINS by 6 Wickets in WPL …
Wrapping Up: A Classic in the Making?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants As the clock ticks toward the finish, this RCB vs GG showdown is living up to the hype—resilience, drama, and skill on display. If RCB hold on, it’s another step toward defending their crown; for GG, a comeback would be legendary. Whatever happens, it’s games like this that make WPL unmissable. Stay tuned for the final result—I’ll be refreshing my feed just like you. What do you think: Can Fulmali pull off the impossible? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s chat cricket!
For the latest scores, head to Cricbuzz or ESPNcricinfo. Until next time, keep loving the game!
