Gujarat Giants recorded their first-ever victory in the inaugural Women’s Premier League as they beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 11 runs at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.
The Gujarat side had lost their first two matches of the competition, while for RCB, this was their third defeat on the trot.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Giants rode half-centuries from Sophia Dunkley (65 off 28 balls) and Harleen Deol (67 off 45 balls) to post a big total of 201/7.
In reply, Sophie Devine (66 off 45 balls) and Heather Knight (30 not out off 11 balls) made a fine effort to help RCB overhaul the Giants’ total. But the others in their line-up, including big names like captain Smriti Mandhana — who failed to get going once again — and Ellyse Perry, couldn’t come up with meaningful contributions that went on to make a difference in the end.
Australia off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner shone with the ball for the Giants, striking thrice and giving away only 31 off her four overs. Medium-pacer Annabel Sutherland (2/56) was expensive but picked up two wickets, including the key one of Devine when she was very well set and looking to explode in the closing overs.
