RCB creates history, becoming the first team in the world to achieve this incredible milestone, setting a new benchmark in cricket with their record-breaking performance.
New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) created a stir and a massive world record in the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) opening match against Gujarat Giants to kickstart their title defense with a enthralling six-wicket victory at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
After winning the toss, Smriti Mandhana chose to bowl first. Gujrat Giants posted a huge total of 201 on the board with Ashleigh Gardner making a stunning knock of 79 runs of just 37 balls on her captaincy debut which included a record breaking eight sixes. She got solid support from Beth Mooney (56 runs in 42 balls) and Deandra Dottin (25 runs in 23 balls).
The WPL defending champions‘ chase got a disastrous start as Gardner dismissed Smriti Mandhana and Danielle Wyatt for single-digit scores in the second over of the innings. However, Ellyse Perry started the season where she left off in 2023 to bring RCB back in the game with a knock of 57 in just 34 balls. Richa Ghosh (64 runs in 27 balls) and Kanika Ahuja (30 in 13 balls) made no mistakes from that point as the Bengaluru-based franchise completed the chase with nine balls to spare. Ghosh and Ahuja put up an entertaining partnership of 93 runs in 37 balls for the sixth wicket.
RCB Creates World Record
RCB completed the highest successful chase in WPL history and became the first team in the world to chase down a 200+ total not just in India’s premier franchise-based T20 league but also in any form of franchise or domestic ticket across the world with 9 balls to spare. Each of the three highest run-chases in WPL and Women’s non-international cricket in T20s have come against the Giants.
The only other instance of more than 200 runs being scored in the second innings in a women’s T20 match was when West Indies chased down 213 against Australia in Sydney. Ironically, that Australian team featured Mooney, Gardner, and Perry.
The total of 403 runs scored in the match is the highest in any WPL match and the first instance of more than 400 runs being scored in the league. It is only the sixth Instance (fourth in non-internationals) of the same happening in a women’s T20 match across the globe.
