WPL Season 2 | Molineux, Renuka help Royal Challengers Bangalore restrict Gujarat Giants

Women Premier League season 2 Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Giants in Bengaluru on February 27, 2024.

An absorbing opening spell from Renuka Thakur (4-0-14-2) and a disciplined bowling show from Sophie Molineux (4-0-25-3) helped Royal Challengers Bangalore restrict Gujarat Giants on 107 for seven in the Women’s Premier League match here at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday.

Renuka gave the Challengers their first breakthrough, cleaning up skipper Beth Mooney on eight with an in-swinger in the third over as Giants struggled after being put in to bat first.

Renuka was clinical in her straight four-over spell, and in combination with Sophie Devine and Shreyanka Patil, accounted for 27 dots in the first six overs, restricting Giants to 29 in the PowerPlay.

The Smriti Mandhana side applied pressure on both ends, denying Harleen Deol -- Mooney’s new opening pair -- and Phoebe Litchfield any easy singles.

In the seventh over, Phoebe was stumped off Renuka’s delivery courtesy of quick glovework by Richa Ghosh.

Molineux delivered a double blow in the 11th over that sent Veda Krishnamurthy and Harleen packing, leaving Giants at 50 for four.

While Veda holed out to Georgia Wareham, Harleen’s 31-ball 22-run innings ended with an unfortunate run out.