WPL 2024: Smriti Mandhana's Stellar Batting Leads RCB to Victory against Gujarat Giants - Cricket Winner

Bangalore showcased dominance with a convincing 8-wicket victory over Gujarat, with a staggering 45 balls remaining. Gujarat, on the other hand, faced their second consecutive defeat due to lackluster performances both with the bat and the ball. Bangalore’s relentless pressure left no room for Gujarat to breathe, especially with Smriti Mandhana’s aggressive start unsettling the opposition bowlers from the onset.

Mandhana’s explosive batting, filled with boundaries, kept Gujarat on the back foot. Despite Sophie Devine’s dismissal, Mandhana continued her onslaught, well-supported by Sabbhineni Meghana, who maintained her excellent form from the previous game. Even after Mandhana’s departure, Ellyse Perry took charge, ensuring Bangalore’s comfortable victory with her finishing touches.

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Smriti Mandhana’s Batting Blitz Against Gujarat Giants

In the match, Gujarat faced batting difficulties from the start, struggling to establish solid partnerships at the top, which increased pressure on the middle order. Consequently, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Bangalore’s bowlers, led by Sophie Molineux and Renuka Singh, were exceptional, causing significant damage to the Gujarat batting lineup. Although Sophie Devine didn’t take any wickets, her economical bowling added to the pressure on Gujarat.

Chasing a below-par target of 108 runs, Bangalore’s Smriti Mandhana played an aggressive innings from the outset, showing no mercy to the opposition bowlers. Her blistering start ensured Bangalore’s comfortable victory, marking their second win of the season. With this win, Bangalore now sits at the top of the table with four points.

In contrast, Gujarat’s bowlers found themselves in a tough spot with too few runs to defend, leaving them vulnerable to Smriti’s aggressive onslaught. Their bowling lacked precision, with loose lines and lengths making it easy for the batsmen to score freely. Additionally, their fielding was sub-par, adding to their woes. Although Tanuja Kanwar did manage to dismiss Smriti, the damage had already been done by then, with Bangalore firmly in control of the chase. Unfortunately for Gujarat, nothing seemed to go their way in both innings, resulting in their second consecutive loss.

The winning skipper, Smriti Mandhana, expresses gratitude to the crowd for their support, emphasizing the importance of their backing. She reveals that there was no specific message given to the team, rather, the plan was to keep it simple: watch the ball and react accordingly. Mandhana believes that she and Sophie Devine perform best when they rely on instinct rather than overthinking.

She praises the bowling performance of Renuka Singh, highlighting her ability to swing the ball back in, and Sophie Devine’s skill in moving the ball away, both of whom were excellent with the new ball. Mandhana commends Sabbhineni Meghana’s experience in domestic cricket, noting her ability to score at a good rate and anchor the innings when needed.