Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is the same story in the Women’s Premier League. After the end of the match, it is the same for the fans. Even though the opponents change, the team’s spirit does not change. The team is full of star batsmen, international all-rounders and hitters but there is a dearth of those who can support the team. After losing the first two matches of the season, the team also lost the third match against Gujarat on Wednesday. Chasing the target of 202 runs set by Gujarat, Bengaluru lost 6 wickets in 20 overs and were limited to 190 runs. As a result, Gujarat won by 11 runs. This is Gujarat’s first win of the season and RCB’s third defeat.
In the fight against Gujarat, first the bowlers failed and then the batsmen also failed to flourish at the expected level. In the middle overs, Gujarat bowlers tied the RCB batsmen and Mandhana and Co. Defeat is inevitable. Opener Sophia Devine (66 off 45 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes) excelled in RCB. In the end, the brilliance of Knight (30 off 11 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) and Shreyanka Patil (11 off 4 balls, 1 four, 1 six) could not give victory to the team.
RCB got off to a promising start in their pursuit of a huge target. Mandhana scored back to back boundaries in the second over bowled by Tanuja Kanwar. In the third over bowled by Kim Garth, Devine hit two and Smriti Mandhana (18 off 14 balls, 3 fours) hit one four.
Devine hit a hat-trick of fours in the fifth over bowled by Sutherland. The pair added 54 runs in just five overs. But Gardner gave the first shock to RCB. In the second ball of her sixth over, Smriti Mandhana gave a catch to Mansi Joshi.
too slow
Elise Perry, who came to the crease after Mandhana’s departure, opened the account with a boundary on the first ball. But RCB’s score slowed down after the power play. Only five runs came in the sixth over, 3 in the seventh over, 4 in the eighth over and 8 in the 9th over. Even in the tenth over, only 8 runs were scored. 54 runs were scored in the first five overs and only 28 runs were scored in the next five overs. Due to this, the run rate to be broken has increased tremendously. At the end of ten overs, RCB’s score was 82-1.
It was difficult for Bengaluru to get runs as the Gujarat bowlers, who initially gave a lot of runs, later tightened up. But with the run rate increasing, Perry changed the route. Mansi Joshi hits two fours in the 12th over. But in the fifth ball of the same over, Hemalataka was caught and left. Devine, who got excited in the power play, hit two fours in the 13th over and completed his half century in 35 balls.
Cue under stress..
Richa Ghosh, who replaced Perry, worked with the bat as the run rate increased. Sneh Rana hit two fours in the 14th over. In the 15th over bowled by Tanuja, Devine hit a huge six on the first ball. Bangalore are 125-2 after 15 overs. The team needs 77 runs in 30 balls to win. Gardner, who bowled the 16th over, clean bowled Richa on the first ball. In the next over, Devine also turned back with a super catch by Gardner off the bowling of Sutherland.
Night, the fight of the balls..
Heather Knight and Kanika Ahuja, who came after Divine’s departure, lashed out at the Gujarat bowlers. Knight hit three fours in the 17th over by Sutherland. 23 runs were scored in this over. Kanika hit two boundaries in the 18th over bowled by Sneh Rana. Kanika was clean bowled by Gardner when 33 runs were needed in the last two overs. This is a night in the over.. a six off the last ball. RCB need 24 runs in the last over.
Poonam Khemner (2) was dismissed on the first ball of the last over bowled by Sutherland. Shreyanka Patil took a single off the second ball. Gujarat’s victory was assured as Knight also took a single off the third ball. In the next two balls, Shreyanka 6, 4, Badina narrowed the margin of defeat but did not give victory. As a result, Gujarat won by 11 runs.
Gujarat Giants who won the first toss and batted in this match scored 201 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Sophia Dunkley (65) and Harleen Deol (67) excelled with half-centuries.
