WPL 2026: Gautami Naik’s 73 Powers RCB to 61-Run Win vs Gujarat Giants

For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season has been a showcase of depth, with different players stepping up when the team needed it most.

In its fifth fixture against Gujarat Giants, it was 27-year-old Gautami Naik’s turn to shine. Wielding the bat in only her second match in WPL, she smashed a brilliant 73 off 55 balls, featuring seven fours and a six, while striking at over 130.

She stitched crucial partnerships — 60 runs with Smriti Mandhana and 69 with Richa Ghosh — to help RCB recover from a poor start. Once past the early jitters, Gautami used her tall frame and precise strokeplay to assert control, showcasing the composure and confidence of a well-versed player.

A world-class teammate

Sharing the crease with her skipper, Smriti, was especially significant. The two had previously opened together for Ratnagiri Jets in the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL), a formative moment for Gautami in 2025.

READ | Gautami, bowlers help RCB beat GG and seal Playoff berth

“I got to learn so much from her, like her decision-making under pressure, and how she manages difficult situations. From the non-striker’s end, she would say, ‘You can play this shot strength, play to your strengths’ and just guide me,” Gautami recalled in an interaction.

“My first partnership was very memorable for me because I was opening with a world-class batter and was able to watch her bat up close. I was just amazed by almost every shot she played. It was a really good experience,” she said.

Gautami’s first WPL cap, only four matches ago, was a moment years in the making. “It was a wonderful feeling to know that my dream is going to be fulfilled because I have been working hard for all these things for so many years,” she said.

The achievement reflects a long journey through the evolving landscape of domestic women’s cricket, marked by bold moves and relentless refinement of her skills.

Forging her path

Though she started as a pacer, Gautami was drawn to batting, particularly hard-hitting. “I used to go to my coach and would say, ‘I don’t want to bowl. I just want to bat.’ That’s when he said we will start developing my batting.

“I’ve worked so hard every day to perfect every shot. I would think, ‘How can I do it better?’ I liked hard-hitting, and that’s my game of playing aggressively. We would choose a specific area I have to develop, a certain shot and work on that aspect on a particular day. Soon, those improvements began to show,” she said.

Opportunities in Maharashtra’s senior team were limited, prompting Gautami to take the road less travelled. A friend suggested she try playing for Nagaland as a guest player — a chance to gain experience and play regular cricket.

The move was eye-opening: cricket in the North-east was still developing, and Gautami embraced the challenge, focusing on fitness, skill development, and match awareness.

It was here that a coach noticed her height and potential for off-spin. “I was bowling and found I had 3–4 good variations. The coach was surprised that I was bowling off-spin so well. He asked me to continue it in the next match. I ended up taking four wickets. Since then, I became an off-spinner,” she said.

Breaking new ground

Her performances in Nagaland led to her talent being showcased at a WMPL exhibition match, where her knock caught the eye of former India cricketer Kiran More. He invited her for trials with the Mumbai Indians and then suggested she try Baroda to gain more opportunities.

“He asked me if I was interested in playing for Baroda. I spoke to my coach, and we decided to make the move. I was given the opening slot and learned how to improve my game, mindset and how to plan my innings as an opener,” said Gautami.

After two seasons with Baroda, she returned to Maharashtra, bringing her experience and form with her. Her domestic exploits — particularly in the WMPL 2025, where she scored 173 runs over six innings to finish as the third-highest scorer — caught the eyes of RCB scouts and eventually led to her WPL selection.

Looking ahead, Gautami’s goals are clear. “If I speak individually, my target is to make runs for my team in any given situation. I want to make a good statement and show that the domestic players have also come here with a strong approach and mindset.”

But the bigger picture remains intact for the match-winner. “My biggest goal is to win as many matches for RCB as possible. My last goal is to win the trophy”.

Published on Jan 20, 2026