TATA WPL 2026: RCB Seal Playoffs With 61-Run Win Over GG

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 20 January 2026

• RCB beat Gujarat Giants by 61 runs to book playoffs
• Gautami Naik hit 73, first uncapped Indian WPL fifty
• RCB stay unbeaten with five wins in a row

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a commanding all-round performance to thrash Gujarat Giants by 61 runs, sealing their place in the WPL 2026 playoffs and extending their unbeaten run to five matches. The win also marked RCB’s largest margin of victory by runs in the tournament, underlining their growing dominance this season.

Asked to bat first at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, RCB were tested early after slipping to 9 for 2. Gautami Naik then anchored the recovery with a composed and resilient knock of 73, forging a crucial partnership with Smriti Mandhana to steady the innings. Although the captain fell to Ash Gardner, Gautami held firm, gradually finding her rhythm and reaching a landmark half-century off 42 balls. She became the first uncapped Indian player in WPL history to score a fifty. Late acceleration from Richa Ghosh, who struck three sixes in a brisk cameo, and finishing touches from Radha Yadav helped RCB post a competitive 178 for 6. Gujarat’s bowling lost control in the middle and death overs, while lapses in the field.

In reply, the Giants’ chase never gained momentum. Sayali Satghare and Lauren Bell ripped through the top order, reducing Gujarat to 5 for 3 and later 56 for 6. Ash Gardner fought a lone battle, counterattacking to register a determined half-century, but the required rate proved too steep. Sayali returned to dismiss Gardner and end the resistance, finishing with three wickets as Gujarat closed on 117 for 8.

The emphatic victory reaffirmed RCB’s status as one of the standout sides of WPL 2026, combining depth in batting with relentless bowling pressure.