In WPL 2025, Smriti Mandhana-led RCB team was defeated by Gujarat Giants by 6 wickets. In this match, RCB bowlers and batsmen could not perform well. Due to this, the team had to face defeat. Gujarat captain Ashley Gardner won the toss and decided to bowl first, which proved to be right, after which RCB team was reduced to just 125 runs. Gujarat achieved the target thanks to Ashley Gardner’s half-century.
Ashley Gardner hit a half-century
Chasing the small target, Gujarat Giants did not have a good start. When Ben Mooney was out after scoring 11 runs and Dayalan Hemalatha was out after scoring just 11 runs. After this, Harleen Deol, who came at number three, could score only 5 runs. In such a situation, the Gujarat team looked surrounded by crisis. But then Ashley Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield gave Gujarat the win with their well-coordinated batting. Both these players batted brilliantly. Gardner scored 58 runs in 31 balls, hitting 6 fours and three sixes. Phoebe Fitchfield scored 30 runs in 21 balls and remained unbeaten till the end. Gardner was given the Player of the Match award for her brilliant performance. RCB’s batting was a flop. Captain Smriti Mandhana could not play a big innings and was out after scoring just 10 runs. Alice Perry could not even open her account. Richa Ghosh scored 9 runs. Raghavi Bisht and Kanika Ahuja tried to stay on the wicket for some time, but these players returned to the pavilion after getting a good start. Kanika and Raghavi tried to make a comeback in the match by batting aggressively. Both added 48 runs in 37 balls for the fourth wicket. Kanika hit a four and a six on consecutive balls against leg spinner Priya Mishra. Raghavi Bisht contributed 22 runs and Kanika Ahuja contributed 33 runs. Georgia Bearham scored 20 runs. Kim Garth contributed 14 runs. It was because of these players that RCB managed to cross the 100-run mark. Deandra Dottin and Tanuja Kanwar took two wickets each for Gujarat. Ashley Gardner and Kashvi Gautam took one wicket each.
