In a game that witnessed so many ebbs and flows, it was Smriti Mandana lead Royal Challengers Bangalore who came stronger against Harmanpreet Kaur lead Mumbai Indians to secure a spot in the final of the WPL. RCB’s quick thinking, persistence and the brilliance of a few personalities helped the side knock out the defending champions, Mumbai Indians.
After winning the toss, Smriti Mandhana elected to bat first on a slow track. Setting a below par total of 135, RCB had their backs against the wall. The top order batters, Smriti Mandana (10 off 7) & Sophie Devine (10 off 7) had failed to fire. RCB’s top-order was blown away by a disciplined MI bowling attack, reducing them to 24 for 3 inside the four overs of powerplay.
It once again was Ellyse Perry (66 off 50) who took charge by manufacturing an innings of importance and helped RCB put a modest total on the board alongside her fellow Australian teammate at RCB, Sophie Molineux (11 off 17).
It was Georgia Wareham (18 off 10) who added the finishing touches in the end. Wareham’s last ball six gave RCB the hope of defending the total.
Mumbai Indians couldn’t capitalize at the start as they lost their opening pair in the form of Yastika Bhatia (19 off 27) and Hayley Matthews (15 off 14) early on. MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur led the charge with a solid 33 off 30. It looked like a smooth sail till the time Harmanpreet was in the middle. But RCB’s right arm off spinner, Shreyanka Patil had some other plans. Her 18th over turned the tide with Harmanpreet Kaur’s wicket as Harmanpreet tried to play a big short which ended up straight into the hands of Sophie Devine. The fall of Harmanpreet’s wicket proved to be a turning point in the game.
Mumbai Indians lost the momentum in the last 12 balls to which they lost 5 wickets. It seemed to be a nail in the coffin as their batters couldn’t hold on. There was no recovery from the Mumbai side after Harmanpreet’s wicket thus putting the curtains on their dream of clinching back to back WPL titles. RCB snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
Due to her brilliance with both the bat and the ball, Ellyse Perry was presented with the Player of the match award.
RCB would be taking pride in defending the lowest target ever in the history of WPL. RCB now are all in readiness to play their first WPL final as they have taken up a date with the Meg Lanning lead Delhi Capitals on Sunday 17th of March 2024 at Delhi.
