Dunkley, Gardner Shines As Gujarat Giants Edge Out RCB To Register First Win
Sophia Dunkley hits fastest half century of WPL (Source: Twitter)
A dominating performance with the bat, followed by a disciplined bowling effort in the second half of the second innings helped Gujarat Giants Women to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore Women by 11 runs in Match 6 of the ongoing Women's Premier League (WPL 2023). Gujarat Giants finally registered the first win of their campaign, while RCB losing third consecutive games to start their WPL 2023.
Dunkley, Harleen half centuries set up 202 target
After electing to bat first, Gujarat Giants Women got off to a great credit to some incredible ball striking from Sophia Dunkley. Sabbhineni Meghana had a struggling stay at the other end, but Dunkley assured Gujarat had a great start with the bat, smashing a 18-ball half century.
RCB women’s struggle with the new ball as Gujarat managed 64 for one in the first six overs. Shreyanka Patil did remove the dangerous looking Dunkley after the powerplay which gave RCB bowlers some space to breathe.
However, the duo of Harleen Deol and Ashleigh Gardner kept the scoreboard going and Gujarat were 97 for two at the halfway mark. Gardner got out after getting a good start but Harleen continued her great touch, scoring another brilliant half century.
RCB finished well in the death, giving just 20 runs off the last three overs and Gujarat posted an above-par 201 for seven in twenty overs. Shreyanka Patil was the pick of the bowlers for RCB, taking two wickets in her four overs spell, including a brilliant last over to finish the innings.
Gardner 3-fer stifles RCB’s chase
Ashleigh Gardner took 3 wickets (Source: Twitter)
Chasing 202, RCB got off to a great start, managing 59 for one in the first six overs. Both Mandhana and Sophie Devine gave RCB the start they needed, smashing a quick-fire 50-runs opening stand, before Mandhana got out to Gardner just before the end of the powerplay.
Ellyse Perry, who joined Devine at three, had a handy partnership for the second wicket before giving a catch to backward point. Following the wicket of Perry, Devine completed her half century and was joined by Richa Ghosh, who could only score a run a ball ten, pushing RCB further behind in the chase. Devine soon got out at the start of the death overs, leaving her side with a lot to get in the last four.
Heather Knight alongside Kanika Ahuja and Shreyanka Patil did try to get RCB over the line but it was too little, too late as Mandhana and team fell 11 runs short at the end. Gardner was the pick of the bowlers for Gujarat, picking three wickets in her spell, including Mandhana and Richa Ghosh.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Giants Women: 201/7 (20 Overs)
Sophia Dunkley 65 (28), Harleen Deol 67 (45);
Heather Knight 2/17 (2), Shreyanka Patil 2/32 (4)
Royal Challengers Bangalore Women: 190/6 (20 Overs)
Sophie Devine 66 (45), Ellyse Perry 32 (11);
Ashleigh Gardner 3/31 (4), Annabel Sutherland 2/56 (4)
Gujarat Giants won by 11 runs
 "Kaushik Kashyap")