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Right then, that is it from the curtain raiser clash of the 2025 Women's T20 League but this is just the beginning of another wonderful campaign. Next up, it is a clash between two prolific teams as Mumbai go up against Delhi at the very same in Vadodara. That game will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) on Saturday, 15th February but you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. Cheers!

Richa Ghosh is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her sensational knock. She says that the plan was to take her time and take the game deep but play her own game as well. Adds that she and Kanika Ahuja knew they could neutralize the situation. Mentions that the preparations they did in the practice match helped them a lot. Adds that she didn't think about the dropped catch and looked to keep things simple.

Smriti Mandhana, the skipper of Bengaluru says that she is really happy that she is on the winning side. Appreciate the batting of Richa Ghosh as it was amazing to watch her finish the game. Adds that these middle-order batters are practising a lot in the nets to hit those sixes and today it has clicked on and they knew that the dew would come on later so they were always ahead in the game. Mentions that they lost a couple of early wickets but luckily they had a good auction as whoever had come in, they have contributed as per their capabilities. All were good replacements and they just want to have a good discussion around for the next game. Jokes about that there is a time to take Ash Garnder for runs now.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Smriti Mandhana put Gujarat into bat first and after losing a couple of wickets, the Aussie duo of Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner started to fire for the home side. They both went on to score half-centuries and coupled with a cameo from Deandra Dottin, Gujarat breached the 200-run mark. Gardner remained unbeaten on 79 off just 37 deliveries and it was the likes of Renuka Singh Thakur and Kanika Ahuja who bowled economically for Bengaluru. In reply, Bengaluru huffed and puffed but it was all carnage in the death overs and they managed to get over the line.

One of the stars of the chase for Bengaluru, Kanika Ahuja is down for a chat now. Kanika says that she is very happy, especially after missing the last season. Adds that the visualizations and the rehab worked a lot and she tried to give it her best with the bat. Mentions that she tried to hit everything that was in her reach. Jokes that she didn't visualize about her wicket but she did enjoy it. Also says that they just wanted to take the game deep and applauds the knocks that Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh played.

Ash Gardner, the skipper of Gujarat is up for a quick chat. She says that it is pretty disheartening as they went at the halfway of the inning with a score of 200 and they had to really bowl to win it but unfortunately, they dropped too many chances and that did cost them this match. Adds that definitely, there are a lot of positives from this game but it is a bit disappointing of course to not win after even making such a huge score. Tells that there are a lot of good performances in the team in both batting and bowling as how Dotting came in and smoked those sixes. But all the credit goes to Richa as she capitalized on the bad balls and played a good knock under the pressure. Mentions that it was pretty difficult to bowl with the dew maybe, that hasn’t helped them in winning this but she doesn’t want to use this reason as an excuse for the loss. Says that it is okay to show emotions and they were in a good position to win the game. The debutants did good and she just hopes they play like they have played today.

Gujarat might still be in a bit of a shock as they have been hit by a whirlwind of a storm and the game has slipped right out of their grasp. Skipper Ash Gardner had a fantastic outing in the first innings and she carried that momentum after the break, knocking over the opening duo of Bengaluru and set things up for her side. However, they failed to pick up any more wickets in the Powerplay and dropped Ellyse Perry when she wasn't quite set. The fielding continued to be their Achilles heal as there were more dropped catches and misfields but the biggest drop was when Simran Shaikh dropped Richa Ghosh. They did have plenty of runs to play it after that as well but the bowlers were then taken to the cleaners and it all got over sooner rather than later.

It might be a new season but in the end, all that mattered was which side had a previous winning habit and that was Bengaluru! Chasing 202 big runs, skipper Smriti Mandhana fell in the 2nd over and so did Danni Wyatt-Hodge, leaving the reigning champions way behind the right ball. Then came the stand between Ellyse Perry and Raghvi Bist, which was probably very crucial. Perry hit her way through and after a dropped catch, went on to score a half-century before eventually falling. With a long way to go Bengaluru needed something special and once Richa Ghosh was dropped on naught, it all started to come through. Kanika Ahuja and Ghosh went into overdrive mode after the 14th over and from being 109/4 in 12.2 overs, they ended up winning the game with 9 balls to spare. Ghosh played an unbelievable knock but Ahuja played a massive role too with her unbeaten 30 off just 13 balls.

The response of champions, that's what that was from Bengaluru! They have stolen the game away from right under Gujarat's clutches and what a start we have had to the 2025 edition of the Women's T20 League! Absolute heartbreak for Gujarat though, who played their part but faltered at crucial times in the chase.

SIX! DONE! WHAT A PLAYER RICHA GHOSH IS! BENGALURU WIN IT BY 6 WICKETS WITH 9 BALLS TO SPARE! This is the highest successful run chase in the entire history of the Women's T20 League. Dottin bangs in short of a length, around off, Richa Ghosh waits for it and then launches it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. WHAT A MOMENT FOR GHOSH!

Pace off, slower length ball, around leg, Richa Ghosh wants to drag it to the leg side but gets it through the inner half of the bat to beside of the pitch to the leg side.

A low full toss, around middle, Kanika Ahuja uses her feet and drills it to long off for a single. Bengaluru need just 6 now.

SIX! HOW EASILY SHE HAS COVERED IT! Tossed up, around off and middle, Richa Ghosh goes on her knee and makes room by clearing out her front leg and thumps it over the long on fielder for a biggie.

Around off and middle, fuller in length, Richa Ghosh goes on her knee and sweeps at it towards deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

FOUR! A FIFTY OFF JUST 23 BALLS! A Stunning inning under pressure from the destructive middle order batter! Nagging length, outside off, Richa Ghosh extends her arms to drive it in the gap towards sweeper cover for another boundary to complete the milestone.

FOUR! GETS THE BOUNDARY NOW! Priya keeps it shorter, and outside off, Richa Ghosh presses back in quick time and cuts it hard in the gap towards deep point for a boundary.