On Monday, February 2026, during the Vadodara leg of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their dominant run with a comprehensive 61-run win over Gujarat Giants.
With this victory, RCB registered their fifth win in as many matches and became the first team to qualify for the WPL 2026 playoffs, underlining their strong title credentials.
Gautami Naik’s Match-Winning Role
The standout performer of the match was Gautami Naik, who was named Player of the Match (POTM) for her composed and impactful innings.
Sent in to bat, RCB were in early trouble at 9/2, having lost Grace Harris and Georgia Voll inside the first two overs. Under pressure, Naik showed maturity beyond her experience and anchored the innings beautifully.
She scored 73 runs off 55 balls, hitting 7 fours and 1 six, and played a key role in rebuilding RCB’s innings. This knock is now the highest score by an uncapped Indian player in WPL 2026, making it a significant personal milestone.
| Gautami Naik – Key Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Runs | 73 |
| Balls Faced | 55 |
| Boundaries | 7 fours, 1 six |
| Partnerships | 60 (with Mandhana), 69 (with Ghosh) |
| Award | Player of the Match |
RCB Post Strong Total After Recovery
After the early collapse, Naik added 60 runs for the third wicket with skipper Smriti Mandhana, steadying the innings. Later, she shared a crucial 69-run stand with Richa Ghosh, helping RCB accelerate in the middle and death overs.
Late cameos from Radha Yadav ensured RCB finished at a competitive 178/6 in 20 overs, despite being in a difficult position early on.
Bowlers Seal a Dominant Win
Defending 178, RCB’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance. Gujarat Giants never recovered from early setbacks and were reduced to 34/4 within seven overs.
Right-arm pacer Sayali Satghare was the pick of the bowlers, continuing her impressive season, while Nadine de Klerk provided strong support from the other end.
| RCB Bowling Highlights | Figures |
|---|---|
| Sayali Satghare | 3/21 |
| Nadine de Klerk | 2/17 |
Gujarat Giants were eventually bowled out for 117/8, with skipper Ashleigh Gardner’s half-century proving insufficient.
This win also highlighted RCB’s depth and balance. Notably, across their five matches, RCB have had five different Player of the Match winners, showing contributions from multiple players and not relying on a single star.
With 5 matches, 5 wins, a strong net run rate, and consistent performances from both senior and young players, RCB now look well-placed as one of the favourites for the WPL 2026 title.
Gautami Naik’s rise, capped by a match-winning performance and POTM award, has added another exciting chapter to RCB’s memorable season so far.
