RCB Stay Unbeaten in WPL 2026 with Statement Win Over Gujarat Giants
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are sending a clear message in the Women’s Premier League 2026: they’re not just contenders—they’re frontrunners. With a dominant 32-run victory over Gujarat Giants, RCB have now secured their third consecutive win, remaining the only unbeaten team in WPL and cementing their place at the top of the table .
But this wasn’t just another win. It was a masterclass in balance—where a gritty lower-order partnership set the stage, and a sensational bowling performance by young spinner Shreyanka Patil turned it into a rout. As the tournament heats up, RCB’s blend of experience and emerging talent is proving unstoppable.
Table of Contents
- Match Summary: How RCB Sealed the Win
- The Crucial Partnership That Saved RCB’s Innings
- Shreyanka Patil’s Historic 5-Wicket Haul
- Tactical Breakdown: Why RCB’s Strategy Worked
- What This Means for the WPL 2026 Standings
- Conclusion: Is RCB the Team to Beat?
Match Summary: How RCB Sealed the Win
Batting first at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, RCB posted a competitive 158/8 in their 20 overs—a total that looked shaky at 98/6 but was rescued by an unbroken 60-run stand between Richa Ghosh (42* off 28) and Radha Yadav (27* off 21). Their aggressive counterattack in the death overs shifted momentum decisively .
In reply, Gujarat Giants never found rhythm. Openers fell early, and middle-order batters struggled against RCB’s spin trio. The innings folded for just 126 in 19.2 overs, handing RCB a comfortable 32-run victory and their third straight win of the season.
The Crucial Partnership That Saved RCB’s Innings
At 98/6 in the 14th over, RCB’s innings was on the brink. Enter Richa Ghosh and Radha Yadav—two players known more for their bowling and wicketkeeping than big-hitting. But what followed was a clinic in smart, high-pressure batting:
- Targeted Aggression: They attacked seamers in the 16th and 18th overs, taking 22 runs off those two alone.
- Smart Rotation: Minimized dot balls, ensuring Gujarat’s bowlers couldn’t build pressure.
- Finisher Mentality: Ghosh’s four sixes—including one off the final ball—lifted RCB from 140 to 158, a difference that proved decisive.
This partnership exemplifies RCB’s depth—a trait often missing in past campaigns but now central to their WPL 2026 success.
Shreyanka Patil’s Historic 5-Wicket Haul
If Ghosh and Yadav saved the innings, Shreyanka Patil buried Gujarat Giants. The 20-year-old off-spinner delivered a career-best performance, finishing with figures of 5/19 in 4 overs—the best by an RCB bowler in WPL history .
Her spell included:
- The key wicket of Beth Mooney (22), caught sweeping.
- Trapping Ashleigh Gardner lbw with a sharp turner.
- A stunning caught-and-bowled to dismiss Deandra Dottin.
Patil’s control, variation, and composure under pressure drew praise from captain Smriti Mandhana, who called her “the heartbeat of our bowling attack” . For more on rising Indian spin talents, see our feature on [INTERNAL_LINK:indian-women-spinners-rise].
Tactical Breakdown: Why RCB’s Strategy Worked
RCB’s dominance isn’t accidental—it’s engineered:
- Spin-Centric Attack: With Patil, Sophie Molineux, and Radha Yadav, RCB deploy spin in 60% of overs, exploiting slow WPL pitches.
- Lower-Order Power: Unlike other teams, RCB train Nos. 7–10 to hit boundaries, turning collapses into competitive totals.
- Field Placement Innovation: Captain Mandhana uses unconventional fields (e.g., three deep square leg) to contain power hitters like Dottin.
What This Means for the WPL 2026 Standings
With this win, RCB now sit atop the WPL 2026 points table with 6 points from 3 matches. More importantly, their net run rate (+1.25) gives them a significant edge in tiebreaker scenarios. Meanwhile, Gujarat Giants—despite strong individual performances—have slipped to fourth place, highlighting their inconsistency against top-tier opposition.
According to the BCCI’s official WPL guidelines, the top three teams qualify for playoffs, making every match critical [[External Link: https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2026/wpl-2026-tournament-rules]].
Conclusion: Is RCB the Team to Beat?
Three wins. Zero losses. A batting lineup that fights back and a bowling unit led by a breakout star—RCB’s campaign is shaping up as the most complete in WPL 2026. While the tournament is far from over, their performance against Gujarat Giants proves they can handle pressure, adapt mid-game, and execute under fire. If they maintain this form, the elusive WPL title might finally be within reach for the Royal Challengers.
Sources
- RCB remain unbeaten with dominant win over Gujarat Giants – Times of India
- Post-match press conference, Smriti Mandhana – WPL Official Media
- BCCI WPL 2026 Tournament Rules – https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2026/wpl-2026-tournament-rules