Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], February 15 (ANI): Former India cricketer Mithali Raj showered praise on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting all-rounder Ellyse Perry for her “truly commendable” commitment against Gujarat Giants (GG).
A half-century by Ellyse Perry and audacious ball-striking in death overs by half-centurion Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja helped defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) kickstart their Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign with a massive six-wicket win in Vadodara on Friday.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Mithali Raj pointed out how Perry didn’t bowl since she is not fully fit after a hip injury. The former cricketer praised Perry for guiding Raghvi Bist, who was playing her first WPL game.
“Ellyse Perry’s commitment is truly commendable. She’s coming back from an injury and isn’t at full fitness–she didn’t bowl today due to a hip injury and was struggling with her body. If you observe her shots, she’s naturally strong on the on-side, but today, she had to work hard to find the ball. Despite that, she maintained a solid strike rate. She also guided young Raghvi Bist, who was playing her first WPL match. Having the mentorship of someone like Perry is invaluable, and their partnership was crucial in stabilizing RCB’s innings after the early dismissals of Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt,” Mithali Raj was quoted in a release from JioHotstar as saying.
Summarizing the match, RCB won the toss and elected to field first. After being put to bat first, GG’s opening pair of Beth Mooney and Laura Wolvaardt took their time picking up speed, with Mooney hitting some boundaries. However, Laura was cleaned up by Renuka Thakur for 6 (10 balls, with one four) by Renuka Singh.
It was captain Ashleigh Gardner’s unbeaten 79-run knock and Mooney’s 56 runs from 42 balls, which powered the Gujarat-based franchise to 201/5 in the first inning.
Renuka was the pick of the bowlers, conceding just 25 runs and getting two wickets. Kanika, Wareham and Prerna got one wicket each.
During the run-chase of 202, RCB openers Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge started with three fours in the first over, but Gardner pushed them back by removing both the openers in the next over.
Later in the second inning, Ellyse Perry (57), Richa Ghosh (64*) and Kanika Ahuja (30*) played a stupendous knock and chased down the target in just 18.3 overs, helping RCB clinch a 6-wicket triumph on Friday.
Gardner led the Giants’ bowling attack with her two wickets.
Richa Ghosh was named the ‘Player of the Match’ following her magnificent knock. (ANI)
