Gautami Naik’s fifty power RCB to fifth straight win, secure top 3 spot in WPL 2026

Gautami Naik played a brilliant half-century to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a 61-run win over Gujarat Giants (GG), securing a top-three finish in the Women’s Premier League on Monday.

How is RCB doing in the tournament?

RCB remained unbeaten in the tournament, claiming their fifth consecutive victory and becoming the first team to reach the knockout stage. After being sent to bat, RCB lost Grace Harris and Georgia Voll early in the second over with the score at just nine. Naik then steadied the innings, helping RCB reach a solid 178 for six.

How was the chase?

Chasing the target, GG struggled from the start, losing four wickets for 34 runs by the seventh over. Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Anushka Sharma, and Kanika Ahuja were dismissed early. Kshvee Gautam and Georgia Wareham couldn’t turn the game around either.

GG skipper Ashleigh Gardner (54 runs off 43 balls) and Bharti Fulmali (14) tried to rebuild the innings, with Gardner hitting five fours and a six, but their efforts weren’t enough. GG finished at 117 for eight. Right-arm medium pacer Sayali Satghare was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 21 runs, supported by Nadine de Klerk with 2 for 17.

How did RCB bat?

Earlier, RCB’s skipper Smriti Mandhana (26 runs off 23 balls) and Naik added 60 runs for the third wicket to stabilize the innings. The partnership ended when Mandhana was caught in front by Ashleigh Gardner after a successful review.

Gautami Naik (73 runs off 55 balls) then shared a 69-run partnership with Richa Ghosh (27 runs off 20 balls) for the fourth wicket to take RCB forward. Naik dominated the partnership, while Ghosh hit some big shots, including three sixes. Naik was finally dismissed by Gardner in the 18th over.

Radha Yadav added a quick 17 off 8 balls at the end, helping RCB post a competitive total.