Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja, Ellyse Perry with Smriti Mandhana [Source: @RCBTweets/x]
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) started off their WPL 2025 campaign with an emphatic six-wicket win in a chase of 202 against Gujarat Giants in Vadodara. Belligerent wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh headlined RCB’s chase with a scintillating 64* from just 27 balls, and she shared a burgeoning 93-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Kanika Ahuja.
Ellyse Perry, who scored 57 from 34 balls after the early loss of both RCB openers, praised the two middle-order batters for their heroic acts.
Ellyse Perry hails Richa Ghosh, Kanika for RCB win
RCB’s Australian star Ellyse Perry praised unbeaten middle-order batters Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja for pulling off a sensational run-chase against Gujarat Giants in the opening match of the WPL 2025 season.
In a video posted by the official website of WPL, Perry highlighted Kanika’s absence from WPL last year and making an instant impact on her return. She said:
"Kanika missed last year due to injury, so for her to come back and make an immediate impact for the group was superb."
Citing Richa Ghosh’s 27-ball 64*, Ellyse Perry said that the belligerent wicketkeeper-batter is often capable of dispatching the ball over the ropes anytime the ball is on her horizon.
"Richa, you know, she does it with so much poise and calmness, it's pretty awesome to watch. Every time the ball is on her side, she puts it over the rope."
In retrospect, Gujarat Giants batted first and carted 201-4, largely owing to captain Ashleigh Gardner’s 37-bal 79* and a top-order half-century from opening batter Beth Mooney (56 off 42 balls).
The RCB Women started off by losing both openers by the time of reaching 14 in just two overs. Ellyse Perry at number three whacked 57 off 34 balls, before a 93-run partnership for the fifth wicket in just six overs between Richa Ghosh (64* off 27) and Kanika Ahuja (30* off 13) sealed the deal in RCB’s favor.