Sophia Dunkley scored a scintillating 65 as Gujarat Giants registered their first win of the tournament by defeating the Royal Challengers Bangalore by 11 runs at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Megan Schutt drew first blood by sending back Sabbhineni Meghana caught behind the stumps for 8.
The pair of Dunkley along with Harleen Deol added 60 runs for the second wicket stand. The England opener smashed Preeti Bose for four fours and a maximum to bring up a spectacular 18 ball-50. However her fantastic innings ended when she was caught by
Shreyanka Patil then broke the partnership by dismissing Dunkley caught at long off by Heather Knight for a 28 ball-65. Her knock comprised off 11 fours and 3 sixes.
The pair of Harleen Deol and Ashleigh Gardner added 53 runs for the third wicket stand before the latter was stumped by Richa Ghosh off Knight for 19.
Gujarat lost wickets at the other end, but Harleen kept the runs going at the other end by scoring a valuable 67 off just 45 balls, before being bowled by Shreyanka in the final over. In the end Gujarat Giants ended up with 201/7 in their 20 overs.
Chasing 202, Bangalore opening pair of Sophie Devine and Smriti Mandhana got their side off to a quickfire start. The duo added 54 runs in just 5.2 overs before the latter miscued a big hit off Ashleigh Gardener to Mansi Joshi for 18.
Devine featured in yet another valuable 42 run stand for the second wicket alongside Ellyse Perry before the latter perished to Mansi Joshi for 32.
Richa Ghosh was then bowled by Gardner for 10. Annabel Sutherland then dented RCB’s hopes by dismissing the well set Devine, hitting a full toss to Gardner at long on.
In the end Heather Knight scored a quickfire unbeaten 11 ball-30 to reduce the margin of defeat, as Bangalore reached 190/6 in their 20 overs.