Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana praised Gautami Naik for her match-winning innings against Gujarat Giants (GG) in the 12th match of the WPL 2026.
Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Mandhana said:
“Very happy. To get close to 180 with the start we got is amazing. Very happy for Gautami, coming after a good show in domestic cricket. I think the attitude she has had from the first game is what matters. If the attitude is there to do well, that’s the most important thing. For her to do it without the experience, it’s a commendable effort.”
Naik came to bat when her team was struggling after losing two wickets for just nine runs in the second over. She built a partnership of 60 runs off 45 balls with her captain, which provided the much-needed stability to the innings. After Mandhana’s departure, Naik stitched together a partnership of 69 runs off 45 balls with Richa Ghosh, laying the foundation for a big score. The 27-year-old scored 73 off 55 balls, including seven fours and a six, at a strike rate of 132.73. Her knock was instrumental in taking RCB to 178/6.
In reply, except for Ashleigh Gardner, none of the other GG batters could put up a fight, and they managed only 117/8 in their 20 overs.
GG captain Gardner expressed her disappointment with the loss, saying:
“Yeah, it’s pretty frustrating. I’m not going to lie. I just think we’re not winning those small moments, whether it’s in the field, where you’re taking chances and then people go on to make decent scores. I think tonight, when they missed the stumps, we didn’t capitalise on them.”
Also read- T20 World Cup 2026: Dinesh Karthik lauds India’s consistency in T20Is
For the latest sports news follow- Revsportz
