गुजरात जायंट्स vs रॉयल चैलेंजर्स बैंगलोर, मैच 12 Commentary, Live Updates

That wraps up this fairly one-sided contest, though it did have its moments of excitement. Five wins in five for RCB this season, and they are clearly having a great time. The defending champions, Mumbai Indians, will be in action on Tuesday, 20th January, as they lock horns with Delhi Capitals. The match starts at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but you can join us a little early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers!

Player of the Match, Gautami Naik (73 off 55 balls), says she is grateful to God for giving her this opportunity and thanks the RCB management. She says she is happy to have proven herself and adds that she is enjoying her cricket and wants to play wherever she gets the chance. She reflects that it has been a long journey and that she has worked hard for this moment. Naik thanks her family and coach, saying she would not have reached this stage without them, and dedicates the award to them. Also shares that the six she hit was the shot she enjoyed the most, as it changed the momentum and gave her confidence.

The skipper of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Smriti Mandhana, says she is very happy with the run her team is on. She feels that, given the way they started, it was an excellent effort to push the total past 175. Mentions that when she was batting, she felt 160 would be a good total, and anything above that would have been a bonus. Mandhana shares that she is happy for Gautami Naik and says that it is not easy to come from domestic cricket and perform on the big stage. She highlights the positive attitude Gautami has shown from the very first game, stressing that mindset is the most important factor. She feels Naik adapted well to a wicket that wasn't easy to bat on, and that it was a commendable effort. Mandhana believes that the bowling unit was on point with their execution. Adds that the surface played differently compared to last season, and it was a lot drier this time around. Smriti says that she is happy to see different players stepping up and emphasises that the contributions haven't just come from Player of the Match winners. Stresses that whether it was breaking a partnership, taking a crucial catch, or making a timely batting contribution, everyone has had a moment to impact the game. Further says that they, as a team, are looking forward to the break, and she praises the team's efforts during a demanding schedule, with three matches in four days, including a travel day. States that they don't want to get ahead of themselves and want to take it one game at a time. She ends by crediting the support staff for keeping the group happy and positive throughout the campaign.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Nadine De Klerk, now the leading wicket-taker of the season with 10 scalps, level with Amelia Kerr but with a better average, comes up for a quick chat. She says that it helps to bowl after Bell opens the bowling attack for them. She praises Lauren Bell for bowling extremely well and making her job easier. Nadine explains that she tries to bowl on the line of the stumps and support the other bowlers from the Powerplay. Admits it has been tough for bowlers in Mumbai and then says that getting to 178 was a commendable effort. Feels that their bowlers bowled really well by keeping it on the stumps and forcing Gujarat to play false shots. Smiles and jokes that the confidence of the team is 12 on 10 at the moment. Adds that they have quality bowlers who operate in the Powerplay and highlights Sayali Satghare's efforts, who struck twice, and calls it a special effort. Notes that the new-ball bowlers swing the ball upfront and says the bowling group works well together, which is the main reason for their success. Further tells that it is great to have some family members at the ground and appreciates their support. States that playing for RCB always brings a supportive crowd, no matter where they go. Concludes by saying different players step up, they do not rely on only a few individuals, and praises Gautami Naik for playing a brilliant knock and taking them to a strong total.

The captain of the Gujarat Giants, Ashleigh Gardner, looks visibly disappointed. Admits it was a pretty frustrating outing and feels that they have not been able to win the small moments in the game. She points out that there were instances where the opposition missed the stumps and went unpunished, whereas her side couldn't make the most of similar moments when chances came their way. Gardner says that with 2 wins and 3 losses, it is pretty obvious they now need to win all their remaining games. Ash believes that playing straight was the best option on this wicket, where the ball stayed low at times, and the bounce wasn't entirely true. She adds that Smriti Mandhana has always been a decent match-up for her, and the plan was to make sure she bowled nice and straight. Gardner admits that they did not expect Gautami Naik to play the way she did and feels that it speaks volumes about the talent in the Indian domestic circuit. Reflecting on her own innings, Gardner shares that she was pretty angry out there and clearly frustrated as she was either missing balls or finding fielders instead of gaps. On reflection, she reckons she may have tried to hit the ball too hard.

The RCB bowling unit put on a clinic. A double strike from Sayali Satghare to remove both the openers took the wind out of Gujarat's sails very early. Another wicket inside the Powerplay left the Giants reeling. Ashleigh Gardner fought bravely, but she found little support at the other end. The writing was on the wall quite early, even if the final confirmation had to wait until the last ball, as RCB officially booked their place in the playoffs.

A perfect outing for the best team of the season! There were early nerves with the bat after two wickets fell inside the Powerplay, but from there on they kept the pressure at arm's length. As has been the story all season, new stars keep stepping up, and today it was Gautami Naik's turn. She held the innings together and stitched valuable partnerships with Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh. Handy cameos from Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil at the end pushed the total beyond 175, and the momentum flowed seamlessly into the RCB bowling effort. The perennial issue for Gujarat this season has been their bowling in the middle overs and at the death, and it was once again exposed, costing them dearly.

Well begun is half done may not hold true every day in cricket, but it certainly did today. Royal Challengers Bengaluru bossed the game from the word go and handed Gujarat Giants a proper hammering to seal their spot in the playoffs. This is also the first time a team has defended the total ​​​​​​at this venue in WPL.

Nadine gets the yorker in, on middle, Renuka Singh Thakur can only dig it out back to the bowler. Royal Challengers Bengaluru complete a thumping win by 61 runs to book their place in the playoffs!

Nadine keeps the stumps in play, on a length, Tanuja drills it down to long on for a single.

Full and around off, Tanuja sets up for the reverse lap but miscues it back towards the bowler.

Almost played on! Pace off, on a length, outside off, Tanuja swings with all her might but gets an inside edge on the bounce. The bounce takes the ball over the stumps and Richa Ghosh, standing up to the sticks, makes the stop.

Tanuja Kanwer was gone had the throw hit. Very full, wide on off, Renuka backs away to go through the off side. She toe-ends it in front of mid off, where Smriti Mandhana is quick to get to the ball. Kanwer wants to sneak in a single but is sent back. Mandhana has a shy at the bowling end but misses. The fielder backing up is a bit deep and that allows the batters to take the single.

Full and angled into the left-hander from around the wicket, Kanwer hits it down to long on for one.

Nadine De Klerk is back on to finish things off. 2/14 in her 3 overs so far. She runs in, but no one is ready. Reload.

Short and flat, on off, tapped to cover by Thakur.

FOUR! Gets it away! Radha offers flight, full and on middle, Renuka charges down the track and slogs over mid-wicket for a boundary.

At the sticks and the length stays full, slogged on the bounce to deep backward square leg for a single.

Full and on off, Renuka presses forward and pushes it to long off for a single.

Flighted, full and on off, Tanuja sweeps it in front of square for a single.

DROPPED, FOUR! Georgia Voll has shelled it. Angled into the left-hander, on middle, Kanwer drops on a knee and plays the slog sweep. Hits it flat towards deep mid-wicket, where Voll runs to her right and the ball ends up getting big on her. She tries to take it in reverse cup style over her left shoulder but the ball bursts through her hands and goes behind for a four.

Tossed up, on middle, Renuka Singh Thakur lunges for the block.

The next batter walks in - Renuka Singh Thakur.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shreyanka Patil is on the board in the wickets column. All six bowling options used by RCB tonight have at least a wicket to their name. This is slowed through the air, full and on off. Fulmali has a big swing through the line but gets the height and not the distance. Skies it towards long on, where Grace Harris runs in off the ropes and settles under the skier. She takes it around her left shoulder but not before a couple of bobbles.

Another one fizzed across the batter, on a length, Fulmali smears it to the right of long on for a couple of runs.

A big swing and a miss! Patil stays around the wicket to the right-hander and zips one across the batter. Fulmali swings for the hills but does not connect.

Tossed up, on off, Tanuja steps out and chips it back over the bowler's head for a single.

Speared in from around the wicket, full and at the stumps, Kanwer plays the reverse but picks out the fielder at backward point.

Very full, dropping on the batter, outside off, Bharti swings, only to connect with thin air. End of a successful over for Sayali and RCB.

A thigh-high full toss, on middle, Kanwer hits it back over the bowler's head without much timing for a single.

This dips on the batter, low full toss. Bharti is taken aback by the drop of the ball and squirts an inside edge behind square for a single.

On middle and leg, pulled in front of square for a single by Kanwer.

The skipper falls and makes way for Tanuja Kanwer.

OUT! CAUGHT! Not sure if this was a plan, but it has worked out quite well for RCB. End of a lone fight from the Gujarat skipper. Satghare keeps it wide on off, on the fuller side. Gardner throws her hands at it and it is sliced off the toe end of the blade. It goes straight to backward point, where Prema Rawat takes it around her waist. Not an animated appeal from any of the RCB players. It is sent upstairs for a check and the replays confirm that it was not a bump ball. Gardner departs for 54 (43) and that very well is the last nail in the coffin.

Is that a bump ball? There is an appeal for a catch which has been taken at point. The umpire has taken this decision upstairs...

Wide! This goes beyond the tramline and Ash lets it be.

Goes slightly wide on the crease and pitches it up, near the tramline on off. Bharti reaches out and slams it to wide long off for a single. It could have been a wide had Fulmali left it.

Strategic break. The asking rate is a whopping 21 and the Gujarat Giants are under immense pressure. It looks a near impossible task, but if there is one pair that can still dare to dream, it is Gardner and Fulmali. Both can press the accelerator hard. That said, RCB have been very tidy so far, barring a loose over or two, and will be confident of shutting the door soon. Sayali Satghare is ready to bowl after the break.

A real half-tracker but this does not rise much, on leg. Fulmali adjusts to the low bounce and gets it away to deep backward square leg for one. 10 runs off the over. 84 runs needed in 24 balls.

Slower through the air, floated up, on off, Gardner drops on a knee and drags it to deep mid-wicket. Only a run.

Fine stop! Short and quick, on off, Fulmali slaps it hard towards extra cover, where Smriti Mandhana flings herself to her left and cuts it off. Just a single.

FOUR! Not a great option with the field up on the off side, and Patil is made to pay for it. On a nagging length, outside off, Bharti gets the width to work with and she carves it over cover for a four.

Fires it in full, on off, Ash swings a bit too hard and as a result, she loses her shape. Drags it down to long on for a single.

Shreyanka is back into the attack. Pushes it down leg, on a length, Gardner walks inside the line and swats it behind square leg. Radha Yadav is quick across the turf and dives to her right to save a couple of runs for her side.

Fifty for Ashleigh Gardner! Short and slow, on middle, pulled to deep square leg for a run. 13 from the over, 27 in the last two.

SIX! High, handsome, and a captain standing tall. The slower one is full around off, but Gardner reads it in a trice and goes hammer and tongs. She launches it high over long on, clears the rope with ease, and continues a lone fight for her side. The on-air commentator informs that this is only the second biggie conceded by Bell this season, the first one was struck by Mooney. 95 off 31 balls.

Wide! Way wide outside off, Bharti walks forward chasing it but misses.

Shortish and on off, angling in, Bharti stays back to play late and guides it towards short third. They cross for a hesitant single.

Slower one, loopy and full outside off from Bell. Ash hits hard but towards long off, only for a run.

A slight hold-up in play as the physio sprints out to check on Radha Yadav. She may have done some damage to her right knee while putting in the slide on the previous delivery. She is fine to carry on.

Slower one, short again on off, Ashleigh Gardner smashes it to wide long off and Radha Yadav tries to stop the ball with a slide. They get two runs and it appears that Radha has hurt her right knee.

A touch short and outside off, Bharti forces it to deep cover for one.

Lauren Bell returns to bowl her last over. 3-1-10-1 so far for Bell.

FOUR! Make it three in the over. Short of a length around off and fired in to keep the batter inside the crease, but the Aussie rocks back and muscles it through deep cover. The fielder dives near the rope, full stretch, but it is all in vain as the ball wins the race. 14 from the over! Gujarat need many more overs like this one.

FOUR! Another boundary. Gardner charges down in a flash, gets to the pitch of a full ball, and thumps it straight back over the bowler's head. That is a proper crunch, and the pressure eases just a touch.

A touch short on off, Ash cracks it from the back foot to cover-point.

FOUR! At last, Ash gets one away. A boundary after a long wait for Gujarat. Tossed up full around off, Gardner skips down the track and drills it cleanly over mid off. Much-needed runs, and a rare release of pressure.

Tosses it up and serves it full on middle, Bharti backs away and goes hard at it only to drag it off the inner edge. It goes to deep mid-wicket and they cross.

Uses her feet to a full ball and hits it aerially towards long on. It doesn't carry to the fielder and they get one.

Serves it on a length, around off, Bharti defends it from the back foot. 3 runs and a wicket off the over.

Outside off, hit through covers for one.

Around middle and leg, Bharti Fulmali works it through square leg for a single.

Short and wide outside off, Bharti tries to cut but misses.

Bharti Fulmali comes out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Gujarat continue to sink in Vadodara. With the asking rate climbing alarmingly, Wareham goes searching for a big hit. Back of a length around off and it hurries off the deck, she rocks back to muscle it over the leg side but only gets the shoulder of the bat. The ball loops up to mid-wicket, Sayali Satghare settles under it and takes a comfortable catch. Gujarat are 56 for 6 and in deep trouble. 123 needed off 46 balls.

Around off, on a length, Ashleigh Gardner drives it through covers for one. They need boundaries as the asking rate has gone over 15.

Play and a miss! Short in length and outside off, Wareham goes too deep inside the crease, so deep that she fails to connect with her attempted square cut. 3 from the over. 124 needed off 48 balls, and time is running out for GG.

Flighted delivery, full and around off, Gardner jumps down the track and lofts it to the right of long on. Only a run.

Around off, Ash plays it from the crease, across the line but finds mid-wicket. Dot.

Patil drags her length short, on middle, Wareham immediately drops her weight on the back foot and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Very full and on off, Georgia makes room and drives but it's straight to mid off.

Full and on middle, knocked down to long on for a run.

Skidding down the leg side, Georgia Wareham fails to flick and it drops off her pads to the leg side.

Presses back to a short ball and punches it to deep cover for one.

Shortish and outside off, Ash cracks it to sweeper cover and rushes back for the second run as the throw from the deep is a bit weak. 50 up for GG!

Short and wide outside off, cut to point, but straight to the fielder.

Slower through the air, full and on off, Georgia drives it to deep cover and gets off the mark with a single.

OUT! BOWLED! The squeeze tightens and Gujarat crumble further, losing their fifth wicket. A tempting, loopy delivery, full and drifting in from around off, lures Kashvee out as she looks to clear the leg side. She swings hard, connects with nothing, and the ball thunders into the stumps. Yadav is off in celebration, the fielding side is sensing blood, and Gujarat are left needing a steep 131 from 59 balls. Georgia Wareham is the new batter.

Radha Yadav is back on.

Trifecta of plays and misses! Slower and fuller, outside off, a tentative prod by Gardner with no real footwork and she is beaten again. A tidy first over from Patil. Just 3 runs off it.

And again! Even quicker and the length stays short, outside off, Ash flashes but is beaten for pace.

This is flat and short, skids through, outside off, Gardner goes for the cut but misses.

On a nagging length, on middle, Kashvee whips it in front of square on the leg side and crosses over.

Flighted delivery, full and on off, Gautam uses her feet and works it past extra cover for a couple of runs.

Missed by the off stump by a coat of varnish! Patil drops it short, around the off pole, Gautam presses back to clip it away on the leg side. She is beaten on the inside edge and the ball goes just past the off stump.

Strategic break. It has been all RCB in this chase. From the word go, they have bossed Gujarat Giants. A double strike from Sayali Satghare to remove both the dashing GG openers set the tone, and Lauren Bell soon joined the party with a wicket of her own. The Powerplay left Gujarat reeling. A small partnership tried to take shape, but Anushka Sharma, who looked nicely settled, also fell. Now it is all on Ashleigh Gardner to do the heavy lifting. They need 134 off 66 balls, and this chase is crying out for partnerships. Will it be one-way traffic, or does the home team still have some fight left in them? Shreyanka Patil is ready to bowl after the break.

At the hips, Gardner is beaten on the inside edge on the flick and wears it on the thigh pad. Just 6 runs off the over despite the four, which should not have been one. GG need 134 runs in 66 balls.

FOUR! Oh, dear. Untidy from Radha Yadav. Nadine lands it on a short of a length, outside off, Gardner stays deep in the crease and gets on top of the bounce. She punches it straight to Radha at deep cover, who fails to get low enough and the ball sneaks under her hands before going through her legs for a four.

Pushes the length up, outside off, Gautam takes a step across and reaches out in front before driving it to long on for a single.

Keeps it on the shorter side, on off, Kashvee stands upright and pats it to mid on again.

On a back of a length, outside off, Gautam gets on her toes and whips it with her bottom hand to mid on.

Full and around off, Ash strokes it through covers for a single.

Nicely bowled! Slower through the air, fuller as well, around off, Gautam brings her bat out in front to smother the spin but is beaten as the ball goes past the blade. A brilliant first over from Radha.

Radha is lucky to get away with it! It seems to have slipped out of her hands. A high full toss but below the waist, on off, Gardner slaps it with a flat bat down to long off for a single.

FOUR! Edged away! Fired in, fuller and outside off. No foot movement from Gardner and she pokes at it with her hands. Gets an outside edge that goes through the vacant slip region and it races away.

Short and around off, pushed to cover by Ash.

Pushed through, on a nagging length, outside off, Gardner is beaten for pace as she looks to get it away through the off side.

Flat and short, on off, Gardner taps it to cover.

The slide continues for Gujarat. Kashvee Gautam walks in next. 145 needed off 78 balls. Radha Yadav is ready to bowl...

OUT! CAUGHT! This time, Radha Yadav goes for the catch and gobbles it up. Just as a partnership was developing, Nadine De Klerk has broken through. De Klerk rolls her fingers over the ball and keeps it full, outside off. Sharma is made to reach out and she looks to go big on the off side. One hand comes off the bat handle and she spoons it towards deep cover. Radha runs in off the ropes to take the catch and the ball nearly slipped out off her hands but she managed to cling on close to her body. 18 (20) for Anushka. GG are 34/4, chasing 178.

On a length, on off, knocked to mid off.

In and around the off stump, Gardner looks to cover the line but gets an outside edge wide of short third for a run.

Should Radha Yadav have gone for it? Fuller in length, outside off, Sharma extends her hands and swings through the line. She slices it aerially towards deep cover. Indecision on the part of Radha in the deep. She opts to collect the ball on the bounce rather than going for the catch. They cross.

At the sticks, on a short of a length, punched wide of cover. Gautami Naik slides to her left and keeps the batters down to one.

Slanting into the pads, on a length, Gardner works it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

We're done and dusted with the Powerplay overs. At this stage, RCB were 37/2, and Gujarat, after suffering three setbacks, have recovered to reach 29. Rebuilding phase for GG and Bengaluru will try to carry the same momentum forward. Here is Nadine De Klerk.

Skidding through, on a hard length, on middle, Ash helps it down to deep fine leg for a run. 8 runs off the final over of the Powerplay. At the end of 6 overs, GG are 29/3.

Satghare continues to be a bit short, on middle, Anushka swivels and pulls it firmly to deep backward square leg for another single.

Into the surface, around off, Gardner goes back and drags the pull wide of deep mid-wicket for one more.

On top of off, Sharma hammers the pull through mid-wicket. Georgia Voll gets around in the deep and tumbles to her left to cut it off. They cross.

Closer to the off stump, on a back of a length, this is punched on the up to mid off.

FOUR! A poor delivery and it gets the treatment! Short and wide on off, Anushka stands tall and reaches out to flay it over point. One hand comes off the handle but the connection is good enough to find a boundary.

Sliding down the leg side, on a length, Gardner misses out to flick and it goes off her pads to deep fine. They collect a couple of leg byes.

Another outswinger, close to off and on a fuller length. This time Ash tries to play a bit straight and it takes the outer edge. The ball runs behind backward point and they get a couple of runs.

Beauty from Bell. Lovely outswinger, it's delivered on a driving length outside off, Ashleigh Gardner is lured into the shot and gets beaten.

Back of a length, around off and straightening off the seam, Ash gets behind the line and defends it down.

Drifting down the leg side, Sharma nudges it to deep fine for one.

FOUR! Stand and deliver! Short and outside off, Sharma shows lightning hands, stands tall in the crease, and cracks it over covers. No messing about, that races away to the fence. A good start to the over for GG!

A bit too straight, on a shortish length, Gardner stays back and tucks it to deep mid-wicket, for a couple. The Aussie opens her account. 167 needed off 96 balls.

On a length, around middle, Anushka tries to flick across the line but it takes the inner edge and hurries to short fine. They cross for a brisk run.

Misses out. Short and wide outside off, Sharma cuts from the back foot but it goes straight to point.

FOUR! That will calm a few nerves in the dressing room. Full and outside off, Anushka Sharma leans into it and lofts it sweetly over extra cover. Lovely timing, full extension of the arms, and a boundary to get things moving for Gujarat.

Movement back into the batter, from a good length around off, Sharma hits it down the ground but finds mid on.

Pitches it up and around off, Anushka drives but finds the fielder at covers.

Full in length and outside off, shaping away, Gardner allows it through to the keeper. Wicket maiden!

The Giants' skipper, Ashleigh Gardner, makes her way out to the centre.

OUT! CLATTERED! Another one bites the dust, and this is a beauty from Bell. She sends down a full inswinger around leg, Ahuja leans across to flick but plays all around it. Off the pads and onto the stumps, and that trademark smile says it all. Bell is in the wickets, Gujarat are 5 for 3, and they are well and truly staring down the barrel.

Beaten all ends up! A touch short on off, angling away, Ahuja stays back and tries to run it down to deep third but misses. That was not too far away from kissing the outside edge.

Sliding down the leg side, on a length, Anushka tries to flick but misses. It strikes her on the pads, appeal is made but nothing doing. The batters cross for a leg bye.

Bell angles in a length ball, around off, Sharma pushes it to the off side, finds the cover fielder.

Gets behind the line of the ball and blocks it off the inner edge to the leg side.

Around middle, angling down, Ahuja works it off her pads to short fine. Fantastic first over from Sayali, just 1 run and two big wickets off it.

Gujarat Giants find themselves in early trouble. No Ashleigh Gardner just yet. Kanika Ahuja joins Sharma out in the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Two in the over and RCB have their tails up. Another skiddy length ball on middle, Devine sits back to launch it over mid wicket but fails to middle it. She hits it to the longer side of the ground where a fielder is waiting, and Georgia Voll makes no mistake. Devine is gone for a duck, and this is a nightmare start for the Giants.

Anushka is off the mark. A delivery around middle and angling down, Sharma works it to deep square leg for one.

Angles in a full ball on off, Sharma presses forward and pushes it to mid off.

In the channel outside off, Sharma pushes inside the line and gets beaten.

Anushka Sharma is in at number 3. She missed the last couple of games due to a hand injury.

OUT! BOWLED! Sayali strikes gold with her very first ball. Short of a length on middle and skidding through with extra pace, it hurries Mooney on the back foot as she looks to pull across the line. She is beaten for speed, the ball sneaks through, and the bails light up. An early blow to Gujarat, and Mooney's lean run drags on. They are 3 for 1, chasing a target of 179.

Sayali Satghare will operate from the other end. A 3-wicket haul in the last game for the right-arm quick against DC.

A bit of a mishit. Length ball in line of the stumps, Devine pushes it from the inner half of the bat and it rolls away to mid on. A tidy start from Bell, as usual.

Back of a length, around off, Sophie gets behind the line and pushes it towards the bowler.

Skiddy one, full and sliding down the leg side, and Sophie will feel she has let that one slip. She shapes to flick, misses completely, and it thuds into the pads. A half-hearted lbw appeal goes up, more in hope than expectation, and fades away just as quickly.

Angling down the leg side, Mooney helps it behind square leg and picks up a single.

Full and outside off, Beth drives but finds the fielder at extra cover.

Lauren Bell starts with a length ball on middle, Mooney clips it neatly off her pads and finds the gap wide of mid wicket. The fielder throws herself at it but cannot keep it in the ring, and they scamper back for two. Gujarat are up and running.