WPL 2024 Match Highlights: RCB-W vs GG | Smriti Mandhana and Molineux guide hosts to a comfortable victory

Key Moments:

Advertisment

• RCB-W won the toss and opted to bowl first.
• Molineux took three wickets.
• Hemalatha top-scored for Gujarat with 31 runs.
• Smriti Mandhana led RCB to a comfortable victory with a knock of 43 runs.
• Sabbhineni Meghana finished the game with a blistering knock of 36 runs.

In the 5^th match of the Women’s Premier League 2024, Royal Challengers Bangalore Women beat Gujarat Giants by 8 wickets. The heroes for RCB were Smriti Mandhana and Molineux. Mandhana scored at a magnificent strike rate of 159.06, while Molineux took three crucial wickets.

1st inning highlights: Molineux led RCB to a comfortable position

Advertisment

In the first inning, the Gujarat Giants posted a below-par total of 107-7 after being asked to bat first. Royal Challengers Bangalore women skipper Smriti Mandhana had opted to bowl first. Gujarat faced an early setback as Beth Mooney, the captain and wicketkeeper, contributed just 8 runs before falling victim to Renuka Singh's bowling.

The middle order faced further challenges, with Phoebe Litchfield, Veda Krishnamurthy, and Ashley Gardner scoring 5, 9, and 7 runs, respectively. However, Harleen Deol set the tone with a steady knock of 22 runs off 31 balls before being run out by Molineux and Richa Ghosh.

A mix-up in the middle ends the good looking knock of Harleen Deol on 22 runs.#RCBWvsGGW #WPL2024 #RCBvsGG pic.twitter.com/QZ1eaQQbxh

— CRICKET FAN (@Rishi174911) February 27, 2024

Advertisment

Meanwhile, Hemalatha's resilient performance anchored the innings as she remained unbeaten with an impressive 31 runs off 25 balls, including two boundaries and a six. Sneh Rana chipped in with a quick 12 runs off 10 balls. RCB bowlers faced a tough challenge, with Molineux making a significant impact by taking three wickets, including crucial dismissals of Veda and Bryce.

Sophie Molineux 🙌🏻#WPL2024 #RCBvsGG pic.twitter.com/2I0cotSY9e

— Thewomencricketworld (@Thewomencricke1) February 27, 2024

Apart from her, Renuka Singh also took two wickets, while Wareham took one wicket. The innings concluded at 107-7 in 20 overs, with Royal Challengers Bangalore Women showcasing a disciplined bowling effort to limit Gujarat Giants' scoring opportunities.

2^nd inning highlights: Smriti Mandhana leads RCB from front

In an emphatic run chase, Royal Challengers Bangalore Women achieved a convincing victory by 8 wickets against Gujarat Giants, reaching the target of 110 in just 12.3 overs. The innings were marked by stellar performances from Smriti Mandhana and Sabbhineni Meghana, who played pivotal roles in securing the win for RCB.

Opening the inning, skipper Smriti Mandhana showcased her class with a blistering knock of 43 runs off 27 balls, featuring an impressive strike rate 159.26. Mandhana's innings were characterised by elegant strokes, including eight boundaries and one six, setting the tone for RCB's successful chase.

Smriti mandhana show 🙌🏻🙌🏻#WPL2024#RCBvGGpic.twitter.com/4wllab7SEu

— Thewomencricketworld (@Thewomencricke1) February 27, 2024

While Sophie Devine failed to contribute as she scored just six runs, Sabbhineni Meghana played a crucial anchor role. She remained unbeaten with a steady 36 runs off 28 balls at a strike rate of 128.57. Meghana's composed innings included five boundaries and one six, guiding RCB to a comprehensive victory.

Sabbhineni Meghana 🔥🔥#RCBvGG pic.twitter.com/e1UGjPS4tc

— Thewomencricketworld (@Thewomencricke1) February 27, 2024

Ellyse Perry also supported, remaining unbeaten with 23 runs off 14 balls. The efficient partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Sabbhineni Meghana showcased RCB's batting prowess, resulting in a well-deserved triumph in the Women's Premier League encounter against the Gujarat Giants.