Gautami Naik starred for RCB in WPL 2026 with 73 runs as Smriti Mandhana praised her innings, helping RCB beat Gujarat Giants by 61 runs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana heaped praise on Gautami Naik for her outstanding performance in Match 12 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 against Gujarat Giants on Monday, January 19.

Naik played a pivotal role in rescuing RCB from an early collapse, helping the team post a competitive total despite early setbacks.

Mandhana’s Words of Appreciation

Mandhana lauded Naik’s innings, saying:

“Very happy. From where we started in our batting innings, and then to get 180+ was excellent. Very, very happy for Gautami. Coming from domestic cricket, doing well there, but performing at such a big stage and coming in to bat at 10/2, and the way she batted was outstanding. I am really proud of her. Richa, Radha & Nadine finished off the innings really well. The bowling plans were spot on, too.”

Early Setback Leaves RCB Struggling

RCB’s innings got off to a shaky start. Renuka Singh Thakur struck early, dismissing Grace Harris for 1 in the opening over.

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The pressure intensified as Kashvee Gautam removed Georgia Voll in the very next over, leaving RCB at 10/2. With the top order back in the pavilion, Mandhana joined Naik to steady the innings.

The duo focused on damage control, guiding RCB to 37/2 at the end of the Powerplay. They then stitched together a crucial 60-run partnership off 45 balls for the third wicket, balancing caution with timely aggression, which laid the foundation for a strong total.

Naik Anchors the Innings, Finishers Capitalise

Gautami Naik became the backbone of RCB’s innings, later partnering with Richa Ghosh for a productive stand. Naik brought up her maiden WPL fifty off 42 balls, while Richa contributed a brisk 27 off 20 deliveries. Their partnership ended in the final over when Sophie Devine dismissed Richa at long-off.

Naik’s knock of 73 off 55 balls eventually ended in the 18th over, bowled by Gardner. By that point, RCB were well set for a strong finish. Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil added crucial runs in the death overs, scoring 17 runs in the final over to take RCB to 178/6.

RCB Wins Convincingly

Chasing 179, Gujarat Giants could only manage 117 runs, handing RCB a comfortable 61-run victory.