Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) became the first team to make it through to the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 playoffs, continuing their flawless run with a comprehensive 61-run victory over Gujarat Giants (GG) in Match 12 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. The win marked RCB's fifth consecutive triumph and sixth overall in the WPL, making them the first team to do so.

After GG won the toss and elected to bowl first, they made an immediate impact, reducing RCB 9/2 inside two overs with the dismissals of Grace Harris and Georgia Voll.

However, the young and composed Gautami Naik walked in and, alongside skipper Smriti Mandhana (26 off 23 balls), resurrected the innings with a vital 60-run partnership for the third wicket.

Once Mandhana fell to opposite number Ashleigh Gardner, Naik took charge, building another significant 69-run stand with the explosive Richa Ghosh (27 off 20 balls). Naik was the cornerstone of the innings, playing a fluent knock of 73 runs off 55 balls, which included seven boundaries and one maximum, earning her the Player of the Match award. Late contributions from Radha Yadav (17 off 8 deliveries) and Shreyanka Patil (8* off 2 deliveries) helped push RCB to a competitive total of 178/6.

Chasing 179 runs, GG’s innings never found momentum. They crumbled under the disciplined RCB bowling attack, losing four wickets for just 34 runs by the seventh over, with Sayali Satghare striking twice in her first over again, and Lauren Bell also taking another powerplay wicket this season. The top order, including Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine, departed cheaply as RCB bowlers applied relentless pressure.

Giants' captain Ashleigh Gardner fought a lone battle, scoring a gritty half-century (54 off 43 deliveries) that featured five fours and a six. However, her efforts were in vain as wickets continued to tumble around her. The Giants ultimately finished their innings at 117/8, falling short by 61 runs.

RCB's bowlers delivered a clinical performance to secure the dominant victory. Satghare was the standout performer, bagging excellent figures of 3/21 from her four overs. She was well-supported by Nadine de Klerk, who picked up 2/17, and the South African clinched the Purple Cap in the process. Meanwhile, Lauren Bell, Shreyanka Patil, and Radha Yadav each claimed one wicket to complete a comprehensive team effort.

This victory not only extended RCB's winning streak but also solidified their position at the top of the points table and secured their passage into the knockout stages.