RCB's Smriti Mandhana Praises Gautami Naik After Victory Over Gujarat Giants

In a thrilling match, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana praised uncapped batter Gautami Naik for her impressive performance, leading the team to a fifth consecutive victory in the Women's Premier League. With a score nearing 180, RCB secured their playoff spot while leaving the Gujarat Giants struggling. Gautami's remarkable innings and the team's strong bowling attack were key to their success. As RCB prepares for their next match against Delhi Capitals, Mandhana emphasizes the importance of team spirit and the need for a short break after a demanding schedule. Read on to discover more about the match highlights and player insights.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 20, 2026, 15:55 IST

Mandhana Commends Gautami's Performance and Team Spirit

After leading her team to victory against the Gujarat Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana expressed her admiration for uncapped player Gautami Naik, who scored a remarkable fifty. Mandhana noted that achieving a score nearing 180 in the first innings was 'amazing'. RCB continued their impressive streak in the Women's Premier League (WPL) with their fifth consecutive win, securing a playoff spot while leaving the Gujarat Giants in a challenging position as they began their home leg in Vadodara. Gautami's outstanding performance, scoring 73 runs off 55 balls, included seven boundaries and a six, which stabilized the innings after early wickets fell, allowing RCB to set a challenging target for GG. The bowling attack, featuring Sayali Sathghare, Lauren Bell, and Nadine de Klerk, effectively restricted the opposition with their precision and pace.

Post-Match Insights from Smriti Mandhana

In her post-match comments, Smriti highlighted the significance of Gautami's performance, especially given her recent success in domestic cricket. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, stating, 'If the attitude is there to do well, that is the most important thing.' Mandhana also mentioned the dry nature of the pitch and acknowledged the contributions of every player in the squad. With their next match against Delhi Capitals scheduled for January 24, RCB looks forward to a well-deserved break after a demanding week that included four matches, three of which were played in just four days. 'Looking forward to the break. Playing three games in four days with travel is challenging. The message to the girls is to take a couple of days off and return refreshed,' she added.

Gautami Naik Reflects on Her Journey

Gautami Naik, named 'Player of the Match', shared her gratitude for the opportunity provided by RCB and expressed her hard work leading up to this moment. 'I just wanted a chance, regardless of where it came from. It has been a long journey from domestic cricket to the WPL. I cannot express how hard I have worked for this moment. I dedicate this award to my family and coaches who have supported me throughout,' she stated.

Nadine de Klerk Discusses Bowling Achievements

South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk, who currently holds the 'Purple Cap' for the most wickets in the tournament, shared her thoughts on her bowling success. With ten wickets in five innings at an average of 13.20, she credited her teammate Lauren Bell for making her job easier by taking key wickets early in the innings. 'It’s easier to bowl after the way Bell has performed. She has dismissed several big hitters this season, which lightens my load. Our batters made it look easy to reach 178, and it was always going to be tough for the opposition to chase that down,' she remarked.

Team Confidence at an All-Time High

Klerk emphasized the team's focus on consistent stump-to-stump bowling and praised the collective effort of the bowling unit. 'The confidence level is at 12 out of 10. Different players have stepped up in various matches, which has been crucial to our success in the last five games,' she concluded.